Tool-change stations

ABSTRACT

A tool-change station includes a base, and a first tool-change member that is coupled to the base and is rotatable relative to the base. The first tool-change member includes a first tool-engagement portion, geometrically complementary with a tool-change-engagement portion of a tool of a rotary drive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/056,905 filed on Feb. 29, 2106, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,688, issuedon Apr. 2, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

“Blind” fasteners, such as threaded studs that are accessible from onlyone side of a workpiece, generally have a tool-engagement portion,formed at one end of each of the threaded studs. Conventionally, asocket of a rotary-drive or nut-runner is used to thread a nut onto thethreaded stud while a retaining tool of the nut-runner is simultaneouslyused to keep the threaded stud from rotating. The retaining tool of thenut-runner is subjected to high stresses and consequential wear.Generally, replacement of the retaining tool requires significantdisassembly of the nut-runner, which leads to manufacturing downtime.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods, intended to address at least theabove-identified concerns, would find utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may notbe claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosurerelates to a rotary-drive sub-assembly, comprising a tool and a toolretainer. The tool comprises a fastener-engagement portion, a firstthreaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion between thefastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion. The toolretainer comprises a symmetry axis and a second threaded portion. Thesecond threaded portion is configured to be threadably fastened with thefirst threaded portion of the tool so that the tool is rotationallyanchored relative to the tool retainer about the symmetry axis and istranslationally anchored relative to the tool retainer along thesymmetry axis. The tool retainer further comprises a key, which is fixedrelative to the second threaded portion, and a retaining surface, whichis fixed relative to the key.

Another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a rotary drive, comprising a rotary-drivesub-assembly and a tool retainer. The rotary-drive sub-assemblycomprises a tool and a tool retainer. The tool comprises afastener-engagement portion, a first threaded portion, and atool-change-engagement portion between the fastener-engagement portionand the first threaded portion. The tool retainer comprises a symmetryaxis and a second threaded portion, configured to be threadably fastenedwith the first threaded portion of the tool so that the tool isrotationally anchored relative to the tool retainer about the symmetryaxis and is translationally anchored relative to the tool retainer alongthe symmetry axis. The tool retainer further comprises a key, fixedrelative to the second threaded portion, and a retaining surface, fixedrelative to the key. The rotary drive also comprises a retainingassembly, configured to engage the key of the tool retainer to limitrotation of the tool retainer about the symmetry axis, and a socket,co-axially rotatable relative to the tool retainer of the rotary-drivesub-assembly when the retaining assembly engages the key of the toolretainer.

A further example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a tool, comprising a fastener-engagement portion,a first threaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion betweenthe fastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion.

Yet another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a rotary-drive sub-assembly, comprising a tool anda tool retainer. The tool comprises a fastener-engagement portion, afirst threaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion between thefastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion. The toolretainer comprises a body and a retaining member. The body comprises asymmetry axis, a second threaded portion, configured to be threadablyfastened with the first threaded portion of the tool so that the tool isrotationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer aboutthe symmetry axis and is translationally anchored relative to the bodyof the tool retainer along the symmetry axis, and a key, fixed relativeto the second threaded portion. The tool retainer further comprises aretaining member that is removably coupled to the body at a fixedlocation.

Another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a rotary drive, comprising a tool and a toolretainer. The tool comprises a fastener-engagement portion, a firstthreaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion between thefastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion. The toolretainer comprises a body and a retaining member. The body comprises asymmetry axis, a second threaded portion, configured to be threadablyfastened with the first threaded portion of the tool so that the tool isrotationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer aboutthe symmetry axis and is translationally anchored relative to the bodyof the tool retainer along the symmetry axis, and a key, fixed relativeto the second threaded portion. The tool retainer further comprises aretaining member that is removably coupled to the body at a fixedlocation. The rotary drive further comprises a retaining assembly,configured to be coupled with the key of the tool retainer to limitrotation of the tool retainer about the symmetry axis, and a socket,co-axially rotatable relative to the tool retainer when the retainingassembly is coupled with the key of the tool retainer.

Still another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a method of threadably coupling a first fastenerwith a second fastener using a rotary drive that comprises a tool. Themethod comprises rotationally anchoring the second fastener relative tothe tool by co-axially urging a fastener-engagement portion of the toolagainst the second fastener and rotating the tool relative to the secondfastener using a socket of the rotary drive until thefastener-engagement portion of the tool mates with a receiving portionof the second fastener. The method further comprises receiving the firstfastener within the socket of the rotary drive co-axially with thefastener-engagement portion of the tool. The method additionallycomprises rotating the first fastener with the socket of the rotarydrive relative to a housing of the rotary drive to cause the firstfastener to threadably engage the second fastener.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosurerelates to a rotary-drive sub-assembly, comprising a tool and a toolretainer. The tool comprises a first body and a second body. The firstbody comprises a tool-change-engagement portion and a first threadedportion that is fixed relative to the tool-change-engagement portion.The second body comprises a fastener-engagement portion. The second bodyis translatable relative to the first body, co-axially with the firstbody, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative to the first body.The tool further comprises a keeper, fixed within the first body, and aresilient member, captured between the second body and the keeper. Thetool also comprises a tool retainer, comprising a second threadedportion, configured to be threadably fastened with the first threadedportion of the first body, and a key, fixed relative to the secondthreaded portion.

Another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a rotary drive, comprising a tool, a toolretainer, a retainer, and a socket. The tool comprises a first body anda second body. The first body comprises a tool-change-engagement portionand a first threaded portion that is fixed relative to thetool-change-engagement portion. The second body comprises afastener-engagement portion. The second body is translatable relative tothe first body, co-axially with the first body, and is co-axiallyrotationally fixed relative to the first body. The tool furthercomprising a keeper, fixed within the first body, and a resilientmember, captured between the second body and the keeper. The toolretainer comprises a second threaded portion, configured to bethreadably engaged with the first threaded portion of the first body,and a key, fixed relative to the second threaded portion. The retaineris configured to be coupled with the key of the tool retainer. Thesocket is co-axially rotatable relative to the tool retainer when theretainer is coupled with the key of the tool retainer.

Still another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a tool, comprising a first body, a second body, akeeper, and a resilient member. The first body comprises atool-change-engagement portion and a first threaded portion that isfixed relative to the tool-change-engagement portion. The second bodycomprises a fastener-engagement portion. The second body is translatablerelative to the first body, co-axially with the first body, and isco-axially rotationally fixed relative to the first body. The keeper isfixed within the first body and the resilient member is captured betweenthe second body and the keeper.

Yet another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a method of threadably coupling a first fastenerwith a second fastener using a rotary drive comprising a tool. Themethod comprises rotationally anchoring the second fastener relative tothe tool by co-axially urging a fastener-engagement portion of the toolagainst the second fastener and rotating the tool relative to the secondfastener until the fastener-engagement portion of the tool mates with areceiving portion of the second fastener. The method further comprisesreceiving the first fastener within a socket of the rotary driveco-axially with the fastener-engagement portion of the tool. The methodalso comprises rotating the first fastener with the socket of the rotarydrive relative to a housing of the rotary drive to cause the firstfastener to threadably engage the second fastener. When the firstfastener is rotated with the socket of the rotary drive relative to thehousing in a first direction to cause the first fastener to threadablyengage the second fastener while the fastener-engagement portion of thetool is mated with the receiving portion of the second fastener torotationally anchor the second fastener relative to the tool of therotary drive, the fastener-engagement portion of the tool is co-axiallytranslated relative to a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool andrelative to the socket of the rotary drive.

Another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a tool-change station, comprising a base, and afirst tool-change member that is rotatably coupled to the base. Thefirst tool-change member comprises a first tool-engagement portion,geometrically complementary with a tool-change-engagement portion of atool of a rotary drive.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosurerelates to a method of coupling or decoupling a tool of a rotary-drivesub-assembly and a tool retainer of the rotary-drive sub-assembly. Themethod comprises rotationally anchoring the tool to a first tool-changemember, rotatably coupled to a base, by engaging atool-change-engagement portion of the tool with a first tool-engagementportion of the first tool-change member. The base has a first side and asecond side, opposite the first side. The method also comprises causingrelative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B (collectively referred hereinafter to as FIG. 1)collectively are a block diagram of a rotary drive, according to one ormore examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the rotary drive of FIG. 1,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, transparent perspective view of the rotary driveof FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 1, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a schematic, cross-sectional end view of the rotary drive ofFIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a schematic, side elevation view of the rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 1, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, cross-sectional end view of the rotary drive ofFIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 1, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of the rotarydrive of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of the rotarydrive of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, cross-sectional end view of the rotary drive ofFIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of therotary-drive sub-assembly and a socket of the rotary drive of FIG. 1,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a schematic, partial top view of a retaining member of therotary drive of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7C is a schematic, partial top view of a retaining member of therotary drive of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8A1 and FIG. 8A2 (collectively referred hereinafter to as FIG. 8)collectively are a block diagram of a rotary drive, according to one ormore examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a schematic, perspective view of the rotary drive of FIG. 8,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a schematic, partial top view of a retaining member of therotary drive of FIG. 8, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8C is a schematic, partial top view of a retaining member of therotary drive of FIG. 8, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8D is a schematic, transparent perspective view of the rotary driveof FIG. 8, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 8, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a schematic, exploded side elevation view of a rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 8, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9C is a schematic, top view of a tool retainer of the rotary driveof FIG. 8, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of therotary-drive sub-assembly and a socket of the rotary drive of FIG. 8,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic, perspective view of the rotary-drivesub-assembly and the socket of the rotary drive of FIG. 1, according toone or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a method of utilizing the rotary drive ofFIG. 1 or 8, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B (collectively referred hereinafter to as FIG. 13)collectively are a block diagram of a rotary drive, according to one ormore examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14A is a schematic, perspective view of a rotary drive of FIG. 13,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14B is a schematic, top view of a retainer of the rotary drive ofFIG. 13, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14C is a schematic, top view of a retainer of the rotary drive ofFIG. 13, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14D is a schematic, transparent perspective view of the rotarydrive of FIG. 13, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a rotary-drivesub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 13, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15B is a schematic, exploded side elevation view of a portion of arotary-drive sub-assembly of the rotary drive of FIG. 13, according toone or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of therotary-drive sub-assembly and a socket of the rotary drive of FIG. 13,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of the rotarydrive of FIG. 13, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic, cross-sectional perspective view of the rotarydrive of FIG. 13, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 19A and 19B collectively are a block diagram of a method ofutilizing the rotary drive of FIG. 13, according to one or more examplesof the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a tool change station, according to one ormore examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a schematic, perspective view of the tool change station ofFIG. 20, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a schematic, cross-sectional side elevation view of the toolchange station of FIG. 20, according to one or more examples of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a portion of thetool change station of FIG. 20, according to one or more examples of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a schematic, partial cross-sectional side elevation view ofthe tool change station of FIG. 20, according to one or more examples ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a schematic, partial perspective view of the tool changestation of FIG. 20, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a method of utilizing the tool changestation of FIG. 20, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of aircraft production and servicemethodology; and

FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20, referred to above, solid lines, if any,connecting various elements and/or components may represent mechanical,electrical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic and other couplings and/orcombinations thereof. As used herein, “coupled” means associateddirectly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directlyassociated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith,e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not allrelationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarilyrepresented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in theblock diagrams may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting blocksdesignating the various elements and/or components represent couplingssimilar in function and purpose to those represented by solid lines;however, couplings represented by the dashed lines may either beselectively provided or may relate to alternative examples of thepresent disclosure. Likewise, elements and/or components, if any,represented with dashed lines, indicate alternative examples of thepresent disclosure. One or more elements shown in solid and/or dashedlines may be omitted from a particular example without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. Environmental elements, if any, arerepresented with dotted lines. Virtual (imaginary) elements may also beshown for clarity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some ofthe features illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20, may be combined invarious ways without the need to include other features described inFIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20, other drawing figures, and/or the accompanyingdisclosure, even though such combination or combinations are notexplicitly illustrated herein. Similarly, additional features notlimited to the examples presented, may be combined with some or all ofthe features shown and described herein.

In FIGS. 12, 19, 26 and 27, referred to above, the blocks may representoperations and/or portions thereof and lines connecting the variousblocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the operationsor portions thereof. Blocks represented by dashed lines indicatealternative operations and/or portions thereof. Dashed lines, if any,connecting the various blocks represent alternative dependencies of theoperations or portions thereof. It will be understood that not alldependencies among the various disclosed operations are necessarilyrepresented. FIGS. 12, 19, 26 and 27 and the accompanying disclosuredescribing the operations of the method(s) set forth herein should notbe interpreted as necessarily determining a sequence in which theoperations are to be performed. Rather, although one illustrative orderis indicated, it is to be understood that the sequence of the operationsmay be modified when appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may beperformed in a different order or simultaneously. Additionally, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that not all operations describedneed be performed.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may bepracticed without some or all of these particulars. In other instances,details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will bedescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understoodthat these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to “one example” means that one or more feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example isincluded in at least one implementation. The phrase “one example” invarious places in the specification may or may not be referring to thesame example.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element,component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function isindeed capable of performing the specified function without anyalteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specifiedfunction after further modification. In other words, the system,apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed,of the subject matter according the present disclosure are providedbelow.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2 through4B, 5, 5A, 6A, 6B and 7, rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 comprises tool110 and tool retainer 130. Tool 110 comprises fastener-engagementportion 111, first threaded portion 113, and tool-change-engagementportion 112 between fastener-engagement portion 111 and first threadedportion 113. Tool retainer 130 comprises symmetry axis 193, secondthreaded portion 133, configured to be threadably fastened with firstthreaded portion 113 of tool 110 so that tool 110 is rotationallyanchored relative to tool retainer 130 about symmetry axis 193 and istranslationally anchored relative to tool retainer 130 along symmetryaxis 193. The tool retainer 130 also comprises key 132, fixed relativeto second threaded portion 133 and retaining surface 130S, fixedrelative to key 132. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 as set forth above allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 110 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 199 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 isinstalled. For example, the rotational anchoring of tool 110 relative totool retainer 130 allows separation of tool 110 from tool retainer 130while tool retainer 130 remains within rotary drive 199 enabling fastswapping of a worn or broken tool 110 with a new tool 110, where fastswapping indicates a rapid or quick succession tool change thatfacilitates the replacement of one tool 110 with another tool 110. Useof the rotary-drive sub-assembly decreases an amount of time needed tochange a worn or broken tool 110 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 110. Further, key 132 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to rotary drive 199, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197.

For example, rotary drive 199 includes housing 100H to which retainingassembly 140 is coupled. Socket 120 is disposed at least partiallywithin housing 100H for engaging first fastener 198 (such as a nut) thatis threadably fastened to second fastener 197 (such as a threaded studor other “blind” fastener which is a fastener accessible only from oneside of workpiece WKP). Rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 is disposedsubstantially concentrically with socket 120 about symmetry axis 193where tool retainer 130 is captured within rotary drive 199, betweensocket 120 and retaining assembly 140. For example, tool retainer 130includes body 131 having at least one retaining surface 130S that mayengage one or more of socket 120 and retaining assembly 140 whereengagement of retaining surface 130S with one or more of socket 120 andretaining assembly 140 prevents translation of tool retainer 130 infirst direction D2 through socket 120 and in second direction D1 pastretaining assembly 140. In one aspect, socket 120 includes flange 143into which tool retainer 130 is at least partially inserted andretaining surface 130S interfaces with flange 143. Body 131 includes key132, formed monolithically with body 131 (while in other aspects, key132 may be coupled to body 131 in any suitable manner) where key 132engages retaining assembly 140 to limit rotation of tool retainer 130within a predetermined rotational compliance, as described in greaterdetail below. First threaded portion 113 of tool 110 engages secondthreaded portion 133 (which is formed in body 131) so that engagementbetween first threaded portion 113 and second threaded portion 133 willbe reversed when tool 110 is to be decoupled from tool retainer 130 toallow changing one tool 110 for another tool 110.

Fastener-engagement portion 111, first threaded portion 113 andtool-change-engagement portion 112 of tool 110 may be monolithicallyformed as a one piece member. In one aspect, fastener-engagement portion111 is located at a first end of tool 110, first threaded portion 113 islocated at a second opposite end of tool 110 and tool-change-engagementportion 112 is located between fastener-engagement portion 111 and firstthreaded portion 113. Fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 may beconfigured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 110 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197 as described herein. Fastener-engagement portion 111 mayhave any suitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration corresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener197. Tool-change-engagement portion 112 is disposed betweenfastener-engagement portion 111 and second threaded portion 133 andincludes any suitable configuration or geometry such as for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration suitable for causing rotation of tool 110 relative to toolretainer 130 for engaging or disengaging first threaded portion 413 oftool 410 and second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430.Tool-change-engagement portion 112 may have the same or differentconfiguration or geometry than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, in one aspect, tool-change-engagement portion 112 may have aTORX® configuration while fastener-engagement portion 111 has a hexconfiguration, and in other aspects, for example, bothtool-change-engagement portion 112 and fastener-engagement portion 111have hex configurations.

In one aspect, engagement between tool 110 and tool retainer 130rotationally anchors tool 110 to tool retainer 130 so that tool 110 isnot rotationally movable (in the direction of engagement) about symmetryaxis 193. For example, as tool 110 is threaded into tool retainer 130(e.g. through engagement between first threaded portion 113 and secondthreaded portion 133 where tool 110 is rotated in a first directionrelative to tool retainer 130) stop surface 110S of tool 110 contacts,e.g., retaining surface 130S of tool retainer 130 to arrest rotation oftool 110 relative to tool retainer 130 so that stop surface 110S of tool110 is seated against (e.g. in contact with) retaining surface 130S oftool retainer 130. However, rotationally anchoring tool 110 to toolretainer 130 does not prevent a reverse rotation in a second direction(e.g. that is opposite the first direction) of tool 110 relative to toolretainer 130 to disengage first threaded portion 113 from secondthreaded portion 133 to allow removal of tool 110 from tool retainer130. Likewise, tool 110 is translationally anchored relative to toolretainer 130 in that the contact between stop surface 110S and retainingsurface 130S (in addition to engagement of first threaded portion 113and second threaded portion 133) prevents translation of tool 110relative to tool retainer 130 along symmetry axis 193.

Fastener-engagement portion 111 is limited in size so thatfastener-engagement portion 111 fits within a minor diameter of thethreads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 112 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 112 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 112 may isolate wearing or damage tofastener-engagement portion 111 to an area of tool 110 delimited byfastener-engagement portion 111 while tool-change-engagement portion 112remains intact and provides increased torque application to tool 110 toallow threadable fastening of tool 110 and tool retainer 130.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5and 5A, first threaded portion 113 of tool 110 comprises first externalthread 113E and second threaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130comprises first internal thread 1331. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure,wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example1, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 4C, firstthreaded portion 113 of tool 110 comprises second internal thread 1131and second threaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130 comprises secondexternal thread 133E. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.

Providing variability in thread configurations, such as in examples 2and 3 above, allows for ease of manufacturing first threaded portion 113and second threaded portion 133.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4B,4C, 5, and 5A, first threaded portion 113 of tool 110 and secondthreaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130 comprise left-hand threads.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 1-3, above.

The left-hand thread configuration of tool 110 as described in example 4above allows for use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 in right-handfastener (e.g. fasteners with right-hand threads) applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4B,4C, 5, and 5A, first threaded portion 113 of tool 110 and secondthreaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130 comprise right-hand threads.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 1-3, above.

The right-hand thread configuration of tool 110 as described in example5 above allows for use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 in left-handfastener (e.g. fasteners with left-hand threads) applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4B,4C, 5, 5A, 6A, and 6B, fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 isco-axial with tool-change-engagement portion 112 of tool 110, firstthreaded portion 113 of tool 110, and second threaded portion 133 oftool retainer 130. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5,above.

The coaxial alignment of fastener-engagement portion 111 withtool-change-engagement portion 112, first threaded portion 113 andsecond threaded portion 133 provides for limited runout and positionsfastener-engagement portion 111, when tool 110 is installed withinrotary drive 199 (e.g. threadably fastened with tool retainer 130) sothat fastener-engagement portion 111 is aligned with receiving portion197R of second fastener 197. Alignment of fastener-engagement portion111 with receiving portion 197R facilitates alignment of first fastener198 with second fastener 197 when first fastener 198 is located withinsocket 120, as described herein.

For example, when first fastener 198 is held within socket 120, theco-axial arrangement of fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110,tool-change-engagement portion 112, first threaded portion 113 of tool110, and second threaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130 positionsfastener-engagement portion 111 substantially concentric with the minordiameter of first fastener 198. As such, fastener-engagement portion 111engagement or mating with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197aligns the threads of first fastener 198 with threads of second fastener197 to allow threadably fastening first fastener 198 with secondfastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 5,5A, 6A, 6B, 7, and 7A, second threaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130defines through hole 133T in tool retainer 130. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter accordingto any one of examples 1-6, above.

Through hole 133T defined by second threaded portion 133 provides easeof manufacture of tool retainer 130 and provides key 132 with width W1greater than a diameter of through hole 133T.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4B,and 4C, second threaded portion 133 of tool retainer 130 defines blindhole 133B in tool retainer 130. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 8 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 1-6, above.

Blind hole 133B defined by second threaded portion 133 provides key 132,having width W2 that may be smaller, substantially equal to or greaterthan a diameter of blind hole 133B.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 4B,5, 6A, 6B, and 7, rotary drive 199 comprises rotary-drive sub-assembly100, retaining assembly 140, and socket 120. Rotary-drive sub-assembly100 comprises tool 110 and tool retainer 130. Tool 110 comprisesfastener-engagement portion 111, first threaded portion 113, andtool-change-engagement portion 112 between fastener-engagement portion111 and first threaded portion 113. Tool retainer 130 comprises symmetryaxis 193, second threaded portion 133, key 132, and retaining surface130S. Second threaded portion 133 is configured to be threadablyfastened with first threaded portion 113 of tool 110 so that tool 110 isrotationally anchored relative to tool retainer 130 about symmetry axis193 and is translationally anchored relative to tool retainer 130 alongsymmetry axis 193. Key 132 is fixed relative to second threaded portion133. Retaining surface 130S is fixed relative to key 132. Retainingassembly 140 is configured to engage key 132 of tool retainer 130 tolimit rotation of tool retainer 130 about symmetry axis 193. Socket 120is co-axially rotatable relative to tool retainer 130 of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 when retaining assembly 140 engages key 132 of toolretainer 130. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 9 of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary drive 199 including rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 allowsfor operator (e.g. without the need for a specialized mechanic or repairperson) changing of worn or broken tools 110. For example, use ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 100 as described herein allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 110 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 199 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 isinstalled. For example, the rotational anchoring of tool 110 relative totool retainer 130 allows separation of tool 110 while tool retainerremains within rotary drive 199 enabling fast swapping of a worn orbroken tool 110 with a new tool 110, where fast swapping indicates arapid or quick succession tool change that facilitates the replacementof one tool 110 with another tool 110. Rotary drive 199 includingrotary-drive sub-assembly 100 decreases the amount of time needed tochange a worn or broken tool 110 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 110. Further, key 132 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to rotary drive 199, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197, while retaining surface 130Sretains rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 within rotary drive 199 asdescribed herein.

As described above, retaining assembly 140 is coupled to housing 100H ofrotary drive 199. Socket 120 is disposed at least partially withinhousing 100H for engaging first fastener 198 that is threadably fastenedto second fastener 197. Rotary-drive sub-assembly is disposedsubstantially concentrically with socket about symmetry axis 193 whereretaining surface 130S of tool retainer 130 is captured within rotarydrive 199, between socket 120 and retaining assembly 140 as describedabove. First threaded portion 113 of tool 110 engages second threadedportion 133 so that first threaded portion 113 and second threadedportion 133 are threadably fastened as described above to provide forthe decoupling of tool 110 from tool retainer 130 to allow changing onetool 110 for another tool 110. First threaded portion 113 and secondthreaded portion 133 may include complementary internal and externalthreads as well as right or left handed threads as described above.

As also described above, fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 maybe configured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 110 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197. Again, fastener-engagement portion 111 may have anysuitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hex drive,clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other drive configurationcorresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.Tool-change-engagement portion 112 is disposed betweenfastener-engagement portion 111 and second threaded portion 133 andincludes any suitable configuration or geometry such as for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration suitable for causing rotation of tool 110 relative to toolretainer 130 for causing tool 110 to be threadably fastened with toolretainer 130. As also described above, tool-change-engagement portion112 may have the same or different configuration or geometry thanfastener-engagement portion 111.

Fastener-engagement portion 111 is limited in size so thatfastener-engagement portion 111 fits within a minor diameter of thethreads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 112 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 112 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 112 may isolate wearing or damage tofastener-engagement portion 111 to an area of tool 110 delimited byfastener-engagement portion 111 while tool-change-engagement portion 112remains intact and provides increased torque application to tool 110 toallow reversible fastening of tool 110 and tool retainer 130.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6A, 6B,and 7, rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 is co-axially translatable relativeto socket 120. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10also includes the subject matter according to example 9, above.

Translation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 relative to socket 120allows for socket 120 and first fastener 198 to move substantially alongan axis of second fastener 197 in direction D2 so that first fastener198 is tightened against workpiece WKP (e.g. where securing secondfastener 197 and first fastener 198 secure workpiece WKP) whilefastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 remains engaged withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 and prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197.

For example, as first fastener 198 is threaded onto second fastener 197,as described herein, rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 translates indirection D1 relative to socket 120 and housing 100H.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6A, 6B,and 7, rotary drive 199 further comprises housing 100H. Retainingassembly 140 comprises retaining member 150A and resilient member 155.Retaining member 150A is coupled to housing 100H and comprises retainingopening 151A, which is configured to engage key 132 so as torotationally constrain tool retainer 130 relative to housing 100H.Resilient member 155 is coupled to housing 100H and biases retainingmember 150A toward housing 100H. Retaining member 150A is movablerelative to resilient member 155. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 11 also includes the subject matter according to examples 9 or10, above.

Retaining member 150A and resilient member 155 provide for thetranslation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 relative to socket 120.Retaining member 150A also provides for non-rotatably holdingrotary-drive sub-assembly 100 to allow for the threadable engagementbetween second fastener 197 and first fastener 198.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 6A,6B, and 7, retaining member 150A is configured to pivot relative tohousing 100H and to translate relative to housing 100H. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 11, above.

The pivoting and translating movement of retaining member 150A relativeto housing 100H provides retaining member 150A with a sufficient numberof degrees of freedom to allow for the translation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to socket 120 without binding or restrictionof movement between, e.g., tool retainer 130 and retaining member 150Aduring translation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 6A,6B, and 7, retaining member 150A includes recess 177. At least a portionof resilient member 155 is received within recess 177. Recess 177 issized to accommodate relative translational movement between retainingmember 150A and resilient member 155. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure,wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to example12, above.

Resilient member 155 in combination with recess 177 may provide guidedmovement of retaining member 150A as retaining member 150A pivots andtranslates relative to housing 100H during translation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to socket 120. The guided movement ofretaining member 150A may facilitate non-binding movement of retainingmember 150A relative to rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 during translationof rotary-drive sub-assembly 100 relative to socket 120.

For example, retaining member 150A is mounted to housing 100H bymounting member 156. Mounting member 156 is fastened to housing 100H andretaining member 150A of retaining assembly 140 is pivotally andtranslationally coupled to mounting member 156 by coupling 157. In oneaspect, coupling 157 may be a slot and pin coupling, where the pin ismovable within the slot, or any other coupling that provides bothpivotal and translational movement of retaining member 150A relative tomounting member 156 and housing 100H. Resilient member 155 is mounted tomounting member 156 so as to engage with and bias retaining member 150Atoward housing 100H (e.g. in direction D2). For example, resilientmember 155 may be a leaf spring or other suitably configured spring orresilient member that extends along any suitable length of retainingmember 150A for providing a biasing force on retaining member 150A. Inone aspect, resilient member 155 biases retaining surface 130S of toolretainer 130 against socket 120 so that fastener-engagement portion 111extends past threads of first fastener 198 in direction D2 to allowmating of fastener-engagement portion 111 with receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197 prior to threadable engagement of first fastener 198and second fastener 197.

As described above, key 132 of tool retainer 130 engages retainingassembly 140 to prevent or otherwise limit rotation of tool retainer 130and hence, rotary-drive sub-assembly 100. For example, retaining member150A of retaining assembly 140 comprises retaining opening 151A in whichkey 132 is positioned. Retaining opening 151A may be any suitableopening such as an open or closed slot or a circumferentially enclosedopening having any suitable shape, as described in greater detailherein.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 6A,6B, and 7B, retaining opening 151A of retaining member 150A isconfigured to engage key 132 of tool retainer 130 with an intrinsicrotational backlash. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-13,above.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 6A,6B, and 7B, the intrinsic rotational backlash between retaining opening151A of retaining member 150A and key 132 of tool retainer 130 is lessthan about 10 degrees. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, wherein example 15also includes the subject matter according to example 14, above.

The intrinsic rotational backlash may be provided between key 132 andretaining opening 151A to allow the pivotal and translational movementof retaining member 150A relative to mounting member 156 and housing100H. The intrinsic rotational backlash between key 132 and retainingopening 151A maintains a substantially fixed (non-rotating) relationshipbetween tool 110 (rotationally anchored to tool retainer 130) ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 100 and housing 100H.

For example, while less than 10 degrees of rotation may be providedbetween key 132 and retaining opening 151A, this intrinsic rotationalbacklash may be defined as a result of manufacturing tolerances thatprovide a slip or clearance fit between key 132 and retaining opening151A, where the amount of rotation provided by the intrinsic rotationalbacklash is a total rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwisedirections. The slip or clearance fit between key 132 and retainingopening 151A allows for relative movement of retaining member 150A andtool retainer 130. The slip or clearance fit between key 132 andretaining opening 151A may also allow pivoting and translationalmovement of retaining member 150A relative to housing 100H.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 6A,6B, and 7B, retaining opening 151A of retaining member 150A comprisespair of opposed parallel walls 151OP. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure,wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to any oneof examples 11-15, above.

Opposed parallel walls 151OP engage key 132 to substantially preventrotation of key 132.

For example, retaining opening 151A may have an open slot or forkedconfiguration which may be open on one end (as shown in e.g. FIGS. 2 and3) while in other aspects, retaining opening 151A may have acircumferentially enclosed opening or slot configuration (as shown in,e.g., FIG. 7B) so that walls of retaining opening 151A circumscribe key132 when key 132 is disposed within retaining opening 151A. In eitherthe open slot or circumferentially enclosed slot configurations, atleast opposed parallel walls 151OP of retaining opening 151A engage androtationally constrain key 132. End walls 151OE of retaining opening151A may also rotationally constrain key 132.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 7C,retaining opening 151A of retaining member 150A is configured to engagekey 132 with an engineered rotational compliance. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 11-13, above.

The engineered rotational compliance provides for a predetermined rangeof key 132 rotation relative to, e.g., housing 100H that is greater thanrotation resulting from manufacturing tolerances or slip/clearance fits.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 7C,engineered rotational compliance between retaining opening 151A ofretaining member 150A and key 132 of tool retainer 130 is between about30 degrees and about 270 degrees. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 18 also includes the subject matter according to example 17,above.

The engineered rotational compliance between retaining opening 151A andkey 132 provides for rotation of tool 110 relative to receiving portion197R of second fastener 197 so that fastener-engagement portion 111 oftool 110 can be geometrically rotationally aligned with receivingportion 197R, substantially without rotation of housing 100H.

For example, an initial rotational orientation of fastener-engagementportion 111 relative to receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197may be such that the geometry of fastener-engagement portion 111 is notaligned with the geometry of receiving portion 197R. The engineeredrotational compliance allows for predetermined limited rotation (e.g.rotational compliance which is a total amount of rotation in bothclockwise and counterclockwise directions) of fastener-engagementportion 111 of tool 110 relative to receiving portion 197R to aligntheir respective geometries to allow engagement betweenfastener-engagement portion 111 and receiving portion 197R. To providethe predetermined limited rotation of fastener-engagement portion 111 oftool 110, retaining opening 151A may be in the form of acircumferentially enclosed butterfly slot.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 7C,retaining opening 151A of retaining member 150A comprises first pair ofparallel walls 151SP1 and second pair of parallel walls 151SP2. Walls offirst pair of parallel walls 151SP1 are staggered relative to each otheralong first axis SPX1, parallel to first pair of parallel walls 151SP1.Walls of second pair of parallel walls 151SP2 are staggered relative toeach other along second axis SPX2, parallel to second pair of parallelwalls 151SP2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 11-13,17, or 18, above.

First pair of parallel walls 151SP1 and second pair of parallel walls151SP2 and the structural arrangement therebetween (as described above)provides for the predetermined limited rotation of fastener-engagementportion 111 of tool 110.

For example, the staggered configuration of first pair of parallel walls151SP1 and second pair of parallel walls 151SP2 forms thecircumferentially enclosed butterfly shape of retaining opening 151A,where central portion 151CP of retaining opening 151A is narrower thanends 151EP of retaining opening 151A. First pair of parallel walls151SP1 are staggered in that each wall in first pair of parallel walls151SP1 are separated by distance G1. Similarly Second pair of parallelwalls 151SP2 are staggered in that each wall in second pair of parallelwalls 151SP2 are separated by distance G2. Distances G1, G2 may provideclearance for key 132 within central portion 151CP of retaining opening151A. In one aspect, retaining opening 151A provides tool 110 with about30 degrees and about 270 degrees of rotation but in other aspects,retaining opening 151A may provide tool 110 with more than about 270degrees and less than about 30 degrees of rotation.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3, rotarydrive 199 also comprises drive transmission 170 inside housing 100H.Socket 120 comprises drive member 171, coupled to drive transmission170. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 11-19, above.

Drive transmission 170 causes rotation of at least socket 120 relativeto housing 100H.

Drive transmission 170 may be any suitable drive including one or moreof gears, sprockets, chains, belts, pulleys or any other suitable drivemechanism that drivingly engage or mate drive member 171 of socket 120for causing rotation of at least socket 120 relative to housing 100H.Drive transmission 170 may couple socket 120 to a drive motor so thatmotive force from the drive motor is transferred through drivetransmission 170 to socket 120.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, 6A,7A, and 7C, rotary drive 199 also comprises friction member 165,interposed between socket 120 and tool 110. Friction member 165 isconfigured to transfer rotation of socket 120, engaging first fastener198, to tool 110 when fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 isdisengaged from second fastener 197, that is threadably couplable withfirst fastener 198, and is also configured to discontinue transferringrotation of socket 120 to tool 110 when fastener-engagement portion 111of tool 110 becomes engaged with second fastener 197. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 21 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 21 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 9-13 or 17-20, above.

The rotation of tool 110 through the use of friction member 165 providesfor the rotational alignment of fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool110 with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 substantiallywithout rotation of housing 100H relative to second fastener 197.

For example, socket 120 may include groove 167, which may be an annulargroove. Friction member 165, such as an O-ring or other suitablefriction member, is disposed at least partially within groove 167 suchthat at least a portion of friction member 165 protrudes towards acenterline (which may be coincident with symmetry axis 193) of socket120 to frictionally engage tool 110. As noted above, initial rotationalorientation of fastener-engagement portion 111 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener may 197 may be such that the geometry offastener-engagement portion 111 is not aligned with the geometry ofreceiving portion 197R. Socket 120 may be driven (e.g. rotated clockwiseor counterclockwise) such that friction member 165 transfers therotational movement of socket 120 to tool 110 so that tool 110 rotateswithin and is rotationally constrained by retaining opening 151A. Therotational movement of tool 110 (induced by friction member 165) causesrotational alignment of fastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. For example, asfastener-engagement portion 111 of tool 110 rotates, fastener-engagementportion 111 of tool 110 may fall, or otherwise move in direction D2,into receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 when the geometriesof receiving portion 197R and fastener-engagement portion 111 arealigned.

Rotation of fastener-engagement portion 111 induced by friction member165 may also provide for seating fastener-engagement portion 111 withinreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. For example, whenfastener-engagement portion 111 is at least partially mated withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197, tool 110 may bealternately rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions untilmovement of fastener-engagement portion 111 in direction D2 withinreceiving portion 197R ceases so that fastener-engagement portion 111 iscompletely or fully seated within receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4A, 4C,and 5A, tool 110 comprises fastener-engagement portion 111, firstthreaded portion 113, and tool-change-engagement portion 112 betweenfastener-engagement portion 111 and first threaded portion 113. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 22 ofthe present disclosure.

Tool 110 has distinct portions, e.g. fastener-engagement portion 111 andtool-change-engagement portion 112, that allow for removal of tool 110from rotary drive 199 even when fastener-engagement portion 111 isdamaged or otherwise unusable.

For example, as described above, fastener-engagement portion 111 islimited in size so that fastener-engagement portion 111 fits within aminor diameter of the threads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 112 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 112 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 112 may isolate wearing or damage tofastener-engagement portion 111 to an area of tool 110 delimited byfastener-engagement portion 111 while tool-change-engagement portion 112remains intact and provides increased torque application to tool 110 toallow reversible fastening of tool 110 and tool retainer 130. Firstthreaded portion 113 provides for the removal of tool 110 from, forexample, tool retainer 130 while tool retainer 130 is held captive orotherwise remains within rotary drive 199.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 10and 11, rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 comprises tool 410 and toolretainer 430. Tool 410 comprises fastener-engagement portion 411, firstthreaded portion 413, and tool-change-engagement portion 412 betweenfastener-engagement portion 411 and first threaded portion 413. Toolretainer 430 comprises body 431 and retaining member 461. Body 431comprises symmetry axis 493 and second threaded portion 433 that isconfigured to be threadably fastened with first threaded portion 413 oftool 410 so that tool 410 is rotationally anchored relative to body 431of tool retainer 430 about symmetry axis 493 and is translationallyanchored relative to body 431 of tool retainer 430 along symmetry axis493. Body 431 further comprises key 432 that is fixed relative to secondthreaded portion 433. Retaining member 461 is removably coupled to body431 at a fixed location. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 23 of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 as set forth above allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 410 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 199-2 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 400is installed. For example, the rotational anchoring of tool 410 relativeto tool retainer 430 allows separation of tool 410 from tool retainer430 while tool retainer 430 remains within rotary drive 199-2 enablingfast swapping of a worn or broken tool 410 with a new tool 410, wherefast swapping indicates a rapid or quick succession tool change thatfacilitates the replacement of one tool 410 with another tool 410. Useof rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 decreases an amount of time needed tochange a worn or broken tool 410 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 410. Further, key 432 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 400 relative to rotary drive 199-2, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197.

For example, rotary drive 199-2 includes housing 100H-2 to whichretaining assembly 140-2 is coupled. Socket 120-2 is disposed at leastpartially within housing 100H-2 for engaging first fastener 198 (such asa nut) that is threadably fastened to second fastener 197 (such as athreaded stud or other “blind” fastener which is a fastener accessibleonly from one side of workpiece WKP). Rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 isdisposed substantially concentrically with socket 120-2 about symmetryaxis 493 where tool retainer 430 is captured within rotary drive 199-2,between socket 120-2 and retaining assembly 140-2. For example, toolretainer 430 includes body 431 having retaining-member engagementportion 460 in which retaining member 461 is partially disposed.Retaining-member engagement portion 460 holds retaining member 461 at afixed location relative to body 431 so as to not allow translation ofretaining member 461 along symmetry axis 493 in direction D1 ordirection D2. Retaining member 461 is disposed between socket 120-2 andretaining assembly 140-2 so as to prevent translation of tool retainer430 in a first direction D2 through socket 120-2 and in a seconddirection D1 past retaining assembly 140-2. In one aspect, socket 120-2includes flange 143-2 into which retaining member 461 is at leastpartially inserted. The retaining member 461 includes at least oneretaining surface 461S that interfaces with flange 143-2 to preventtranslation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 past flange 132-2 indirection D2. Body 431 includes key 432, formed monolithically with body431 (while in other aspects, key 432 may be coupled to body 431 in anysuitable manner) where key 432 engages retaining assembly 140-2 to limitrotation of tool retainer 430 within a predetermined rotationalcompliance, as described in greater detail below. First threaded portion413 of tool 410 engages second threaded portion 433 (which is formed inbody 431) so that engagement between first threaded portion 413 andsecond threaded portion 433 will be reversed when tool 410 is to bedecoupled from tool retainer 430 to allow changing one tool 410 foranother tool 410.

Fastener-engagement portion 411, first threaded portion 413 andtool-change-engagement portion 412 of tool 410 may be monolithicallyformed as a one piece member. In one aspect, fastener-engagement portion411 is located at a first end of tool 410, first threaded portion 413 islocated at a second opposite end of tool 410 and tool-change-engagementportion 412 is located between fastener-engagement portion 411 and firstthreaded portion 413. Fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 may beconfigured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 410 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197 as described herein. Fastener-engagement portion 411 mayhave any suitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration corresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener197. Tool-change-engagement portion 412 is disposed betweenfastener-engagement portion 411 and second threaded portion 433 andincludes any suitable configuration or geometry such as for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration suitable for causing rotation of tool 410 relative to toolretainer 430 for engaging or disengaging first threaded portion 413 oftool 410 and second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430.Tool-change-engagement portion 412 may have the same or differentconfiguration or geometry than fastener-engagement portion 411. Forexample, in one aspect, tool-change-engagement portion 412 may have aTORX® configuration while fastener-engagement portion 411 has a hexconfiguration, and in other aspects, for example, bothtool-change-engagement portion 412 and fastener-engagement portion 411have hex configurations.

In one aspect, engagement between tool 410 and tool retainer 430rotationally anchors tool 410 to tool retainer 430 so that tool 410 isnot rotationally movable (in the direction of engagement) about symmetryaxis 493. For example, as tool 410 is threaded into tool retainer 430(e.g. through engagement between first threaded portion 413 and secondthreaded portion 433 where tool 410 is rotated in a first directionrelative to tool retainer 430) stop surface 410S of tool 410 contacts,e.g., retaining surface 430S of tool retainer 430 to arrest rotation oftool 410 relative to tool retainer 430 so that stop surface 410S of tool410 is seated against (e.g. in contact with) retaining surface 430S oftool retainer 430. However, rotationally anchoring tool 410 to toolretainer 430 does not prevent a reverse rotation in a second direction(e.g. that is opposite the first direction) of tool 410 relative to toolretainer 430 to disengage first threaded portion 413 from secondthreaded portion 433 to allow removal of tool 410 from tool retainer430. Likewise, tool 410 is translationally anchored relative to toolretainer 430 in that the contact between stop surface 410S and retainingsurface 430S (in addition to engagement of first threaded portion 413and second threaded portion 433) prevents translation of tool 410relative to tool retainer 430 along symmetry axis 493.

Fastener-engagement portion 411 is limited in size so thatfastener-engagement portion 411 fits within a minor diameter of thethreads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 412 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 411. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 412 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 412 may isolate wearing or damage tofastener-engagement portion 411 to an area of tool 410 delimited byfastener-engagement portion 411 while tool-change-engagement portion 412remains intact and provides increased torque application to tool 410 toallow threadable fastening of tool 410 and tool retainer 430.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 9A, firstthreaded portion 413 of tool 410 comprises first external thread 413Eand second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430 comprises firstinternal thread 433I. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 24 of the present disclosure, wherein example 24also includes the subject matter according to example 23, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 9B, firstthreaded portion 413 of tool 410 comprises second internal thread 4131and second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430 comprises secondexternal thread 433E. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 25 of the present disclosure, wherein example 25also includes the subject matter according to example 23, above.

Providing variability in thread configurations, such as in examples 24and 25 above, allows for ease of manufacturing first threaded portion413 and second threaded portion 433.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 9B,and 10, first threaded portion 413 of tool 410 and second threadedportion 433 of tool retainer 430 comprise left-hand threads. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 26 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 26 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 23-25, above.

The left-hand thread configuration of tool 410 as described in example26 above allows for use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 in bothright-hand fastener (e.g. fasteners with right-hand threads)applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 9B,and 10, first threaded portion 413 of tool 410 and second threadedportion 433 of tool retainer 430 comprise right-hand threads. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 27 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 27 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 23-25, above.

The right-hand thread configuration of tool 410 as described in example27 above allows for use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 in left-handfastener (e.g. fasteners with left-hand threads) applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 9B,and 10, fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 is co-axial withtool-change-engagement portion 412 of tool 410, first threaded portion413 of tool 410, and second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 28of the present disclosure, wherein example 28 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 23-27, above.

The coaxial alignment of fastener-engagement portion 411 withtool-change-engagement portion 412, first threaded portion 413 andsecond threaded portion 433 provides for limited runout and positionsfastener-engagement portion 411, when tool 410 is installed withinrotary drive 199-2 (e.g. threadably fastened with tool retainer 430) sothat fastener-engagement portion 411 is aligned with receiving portion197R of second fastener 197. Alignment of fastener-engagement portion411 with receiving portion 197R facilitates alignment of first fastener198 with second fastener 197 when first fastener 198 is located withinsocket 120-2, as described herein.

For example, when first fastener 198 is held within socket 120-2, theco-axial arrangement of fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410,tool-change-engagement portion 412, first threaded portion 413 of tool410, and second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430 positionsfastener-engagement portion 411 substantially concentric with the minordiameter of first fastener 198. As such, fastener-engagement portion 411engagement or mating with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197aligns the threads of first fastener 198 with threads of second fastener197 to allow threadably fastening first fastener 198 with secondfastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 9C, secondthreaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430 defines through hole 433T intool retainer 430. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 29 of the present disclosure, wherein example 29also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 23-28,above.

Through hole 433T defined by second threaded portion 433 provides easeof manufacture of tool retainer 430 and provides key 432 with width W1greater than a diameter of through hole 433T.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 8A, 9A,10, and 11, second threaded portion 433 of tool retainer 430 definesblind hole 433B in tool retainer 430. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 30 of the present disclosure,wherein example 30 also includes the subject matter according to any oneof examples 23-28, above.

Blind hole 433B defined by second threaded portion 433 provides key 432with width W2 that may be smaller, substantially equal to or greaterthan a diameter of blind hole 433B.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 9B,10 and 11, body 431 of tool retainer 430 comprises retaining-memberengagement portion 460. Retaining member 461 of tool retainer 430engages retaining-member engagement portion 460 so that retaining member461 is fixed relative to body 431 of tool retainer 430 along symmetryaxis 493. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 31 of the present disclosure, wherein example 31 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 23-30, above.

Providing body 431 with retaining-member engagement portion 460 locatesretaining member 461 on body 431 along symmetry axis 493 so that tool410 extends in direction D1 past threads of first fastener 198 whenretaining member 461 engages flange 143-2 of socket 120-2. Retainingmember 461 also prevents movement of tool 410 in direction D2 pastretaining member 150B.

In one aspect, retaining-member engagement portion 460 is acircumferential groove into which retaining member 461 is removablydisposed. In other aspects, retaining-member engagement portion 460 mayinclude slots, protrusions, holes or any other suitable structure forcapturing retaining member 461 on body 431 so that retaining member 461does not translate along symmetry axis 493 in direction D1 and D2. Inone aspect, retaining member 461 is a clip or ring that is inserted intoretaining-member engagement portion 460 that radially extends from body431 to engage flange 143-2 of socket 120-2 and retaining member 150B forholding at least tool retainer 430 within rotary drive 199-2. In otheraspects, retaining member 461 may be a pin or other member that issuitably shaped and sized to engage flange 143-2 of socket 120-2 andretaining member 150B for holding at least tool retainer 430 withinrotary drive 199-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 8A, 9A,10, and 11, rotary drive 199-2 comprises tool 410, tool retainer 430,retaining assembly 140-2, and socket 120-2. Tool 410 comprisesfastener-engagement portion 411, first threaded portion 413, andtool-change-engagement portion 412 between fastener-engagement portion411 and first threaded portion 413. Tool retainer 430 comprises body 431and retaining member 461. Body 431 comprises symmetry axis 493, secondthreaded portion 433, and key 432 that is fixed relative to secondthreaded portion 433. Second threaded portion 433 is configured to bethreadably fastened with first threaded portion 413 of tool 410 so thattool 410 is rotationally anchored relative to body 431 of tool retainer430 about symmetry axis 493 and is translationally anchored relative tobody 431 of tool retainer 430 along symmetry axis 493. Retaining member461 is removably coupled to body 431 at fixed location. Retainingassembly 140-2 is configured to be coupled with key 432 of tool retainer430 to limit rotation of tool retainer 430 about symmetry axis 493.Socket 120-2 is co-axially rotatable relative to tool retainer 430 whenretaining assembly 140-2 is coupled with key 432 of tool retainer 430.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 32of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary drive 199-2 including rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 allowsfor operator (e.g. without the need for a specialized mechanic or repairperson) changing of worn or broken tools 410. For example, use ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 400 as described herein allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 410 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 199-2 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 400is installed. For example, the rotational anchoring of tool 410 relativeto tool retainer 430 allows separation of tool 410 while tool retainerremains within rotary drive 199-2 enabling fast swapping of a worn orbroken tool 410 with a new tool 410, where fast swapping indicates arapid or quick succession tool change that facilitates the replacementof one tool 410 with another tool 410. Rotary drive 199-2 includingrotary-drive sub-assembly 400 decreases the amount of time needed tochange a worn or broken tool 410 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 410. Further, key 432 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to rotary drive 199-2, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197, while retaining member 461retains rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 within rotary drive 199-2 isdescribed herein.

As described above, retaining assembly 140-2 is coupled to housing100H-2 of rotary drive 199-2. Socket 120-2 is disposed at leastpartially within housing 100H-2 for engaging first fastener 198 that isthreadably fastened to second fastener 197. Rotary-drive sub-assembly400 is disposed substantially concentrically with socket 120-2 aboutsymmetry axis 193 where retaining member 461 of tool retainer 430 iscaptured within rotary drive 199-2, between socket 120-2 and retainingassembly 140-2 as described above. First threaded portion 413 of tool410 engages second threaded portion 433 so that first threaded portion413 and second threaded portion 433 are threadably fastened as describedabove to provide for the decoupling of tool 410 from tool retainer 430to allow changing one tool 410 for another tool 410. First threadedportion 413 and second threaded portion 433 may include complementaryinternal and external threads as well as right or left handed threads asdescribed above.

As also described above, fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 maybe configured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 410 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197. Again, fastener-engagement portion 411 may have anysuitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hex drive,clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other drive configurationcorresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.Tool-change-engagement portion 412 is disposed betweenfastener-engagement portion 411 and second threaded portion 433 andincludes any suitable configuration or geometry such as for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration suitable for causing rotation of tool 410 relative to toolretainer 430 for causing tool 410 to be threadably fastened with toolretainer 430. As also described above, tool-change-engagement portion412 may have the same or different configuration or geometry thanfastener-engagement portion 411.

Fastener-engagement portion 411 is limited in size so thatfastener-engagement portion 411 fits within a minor diameter of thethreads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 412 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 411. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 412 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 412 may isolate wearing or damage tofastener-engagement portion 411 to an area of tool 410 delimited byfastener-engagement portion 411 while tool-change-engagement portion 412remains intact and provides increased torque application to tool 410 toallow reversible fastening of tool 410 and tool retainer 430.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6B, 7,9A, 9B, and 10, rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 is co-axially translatablerelative to socket 120-2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 33 of the present disclosure, wherein example 33also includes the subject matter according to example 32, above.

Translation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 relative to socket 120-2allows for socket 120-2 and first fastener 198 to move substantiallyalong an axis of second fastener 197 in direction D2 so that firstfastener 198 is tightened against workpiece WKP (e.g. where securingsecond fastener 197 and first fastener 198 secure workpiece WKP) whilefastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 remains engaged withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 and prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197.

For example, in a manner similar to that described above, as firstfastener 198 is threaded onto second fastener 197, rotary-drivesub-assembly 400 translates in direction D1 relative to socket 120-2 andhousing 100H-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 9A, 9B,10 and 11, body 431 of tool retainer 430 comprises a retaining-memberengagement portion 460. Retaining member 461 of tool retainer 430engages retaining-member engagement portion 460 of body 431 so thatretaining member 461 is fixed relative to body 431 of tool retainer 430along symmetry axis 493. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 34 of the present disclosure, wherein example 34also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 32 or33, above.

As described above, providing body 431 with retaining-member engagementportion 460 locates retaining member 461 on body 431 along symmetry axis493 so that tool 410 extends in direction D1 past threads of firstfastener 198 when retaining member 461 engages flange 143-2 of socket120-2. Retaining member 461 also prevents movement of tool 410 indirection D2 past retaining member 150B.

Again, in one aspect, retaining-member engagement portion 460 is acircumferential groove into which retaining member 461 is removablydisposed. In other aspects, retaining-member engagement portion 460 mayinclude slots, protrusions, holes or any other suitable structure forcapturing retaining member 461 on body 431 so that retaining member 461does not translate along symmetry axis 493 in direction D1 and D2. Inone aspect, retaining member 461 is a clip or ring that is inserted intoretaining-member engagement portion 460 that radially extends from body431 to engage flange 143-2 of socket 120-2 and retaining member 150B forholding at least tool retainer 430 within rotary drive 199-2. In otheraspects, retaining member 461 may be a pin or other member that issuitably shaped and sized to engage flange 143-2 of socket 120-2 andretaining member 150B for holding at least tool retainer 430 withinrotary drive 199-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 10 and11, socket 120-2 includes flange 143-2, supporting retaining member161-2. Retaining member 161-2 is located between flange 143-2 andretaining assembly 140-2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 35 of the present disclosure, wherein example 35also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 32-34,above.

Flange 143-2 supports retaining member 161-2 and prevents translation oftool 410 along symmetry axis 493 in direction D2 while retainingassembly 140-2 prevents translation of tool 410 along symmetry axis 493in direction D1 so as to retain tool 410 (and rotary-drive sub-assembly400) within rotary drive 199-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 8A, rotarydrive 199-2 further comprises housing 100H-2. Retaining assembly 140-2comprises retaining member 150B and resilient member 155-2. Retainingmember 150B is coupled to housing 100H-2 and comprises retaining opening151A-2, which is configured to engage key 432 so as to rotationallyconstrain tool retainer 430 relative to housing 100H-2. Resilient member155-2 is coupled to housing 100H and biases retaining member 150B towardhousing 100H-2. Resilient member 155-2 is movable relative to retainingmember 150B. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 36 of the present disclosure, wherein example 36also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 32-35,above.

Retaining member 150B and resilient member 155-2 provide for thetranslation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 relative to socket 120-2.Retaining member 150B also provides for non-rotatably holdingrotary-drive sub-assembly 400 to allow for the threadable engagementbetween second fastener 197 and first fastener 198.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6B, 7,and 8A, retaining member 150B is configured to pivot relative to housing100H-2 and to translate relative to housing 100H-2. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 37 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 37 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 36, above.

The pivoting and translating movement of retaining member 150B relativeto housing 100H-2 provides retaining member 150B with a sufficientnumber of degrees of freedom to allow for the translation ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 400 relative to socket 120-2 without bindingor restriction of movement between, e.g., tool retainer 130 andretaining member 150B during translation of rotary-drive sub-assembly400.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 8A,retaining member 150B includes recess 177-2. At least a portion ofresilient member 155-2 is received within recess 177-2. Recess 177-2 issized to accommodate relative translational movement between retainingmember 150B and resilient member 155-2. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 38 of the present disclosure,wherein example 38 also includes the subject matter according to example37, above.

Resilient member 155-2 in combination with recess 177-2 may provideguided movement of retaining member 150B as retaining member 150B pivotsand translates relative to housing 100H-2 during translation ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 400 relative to socket 120-2. The guidedmovement of retaining member 150B may facilitate non-binding movement ofretaining member 150B relative to rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 duringtranslation of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 relative to socket 120-2.

For example, retaining member 150B is mounted to housing 100H-2 bymounting member 156-2. Mounting member 156-2 is fastened to housing100H-2 and retaining member 150B of retaining assembly 140-2 ispivotally and translationally coupled to mounting member 156-2 bycoupling 157-2. In one aspect, coupling 157-2 may be a slot and pincoupling, where the pin is movable within the slot, or any othercoupling that provides both pivotal and translational movement ofretaining member 150B relative to mounting member 156-2 and housing100H-2. Resilient member 155-2 is mounted to mounting member 156-2 so asto engage with and bias retaining member 150B toward housing 100H-2(e.g. in direction D2). For example, resilient member 155-2 may be aleaf spring or other suitably configured spring or resilient member thatextends along any suitable length of retaining member 150B for providinga biasing force on retaining member 150B. In one aspect, resilientmember 155-2 biases retaining member 461 of tool retainer 430 againstflange 143-2 of socket 120-2 so that fastener-engagement portion 411extends past threads of first fastener 198 in direction D2 to allowmating of fastener-engagement portion 411 with receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197 prior to threadable engagement of first fastener 198and second fastener 197.

As described above, key 432 of tool retainer 430 engages retainingassembly 140-2 to prevent or otherwise limit rotation of tool retainer430 and hence, rotary-drive sub-assembly 400. For example, retainingmember 150B of retaining assembly 140-2 comprises retaining opening151A-2 in which key 432 is positioned. Retaining opening 151A-2 may beany suitable opening such as an open or closed slot or acircumferentially enclosed opening having any suitable shape, asdescribed in greater detail herein.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 8B,retaining opening 151A-2 of retaining member 150B is configured toengage key 432-2 of tool retainer 430 with an intrinsic rotationalbacklash. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 39 of the present disclosure, wherein example 39 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 36-38, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 8B, theintrinsic rotational backlash between retaining opening 151A-2 ofretaining member 150B and key 432 of tool retainer 430 is less thanabout 10 degrees. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 40 of the present disclosure, wherein example 40also includes the subject matter according to example 39, above.

The intrinsic rotational backlash may be provided between key 432 andretaining opening 151A-2 to allow the pivotal and translational movementof retaining member 150B relative to mounting member 156-2 and housing100H-2. The intrinsic rotational backlash between key 432 and retainingopening 151A-2 maintains a substantially fixed (non-rotating)relationship between tool 410 (rotationally anchored to tool retainer430) of rotary-drive sub-assembly 400 and housing 100H-2.

For example, while less than 10 degrees of rotation may be providedbetween key 432 and retaining opening 151A-2, this intrinsic rotationalbacklash may be defined as a result of manufacturing tolerances thatprovide a slip or clearance fit between key 432 and retaining opening151A-2, where the amount of rotation provided by the intrinsicrotational backlash is a total rotation in both clockwise andcounterclockwise directions. The slip or clearance fit between key 432and retaining opening 151A-2 allows for relative movement of retainingmember 150A-2 and tool retainer 430. The slip or clearance fit betweenkey 432 and retaining opening 151A-2 may also allow pivoting andtranslational movement of retaining member 150A-2 relative to housing100H-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 8B,retaining opening 151A-2 of retaining member 150B comprises pair ofopposed parallel walls 151OP-2. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 41 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 41 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 36-40, above.

Opposed parallel walls 151OP-2 engage key 432 to substantially preventrotation of key 432.

For example, retaining opening 151A-2 may have an open slot or forkedconfiguration which may be open on one end (similar to that shown ine.g. FIGS. 2 and 3) while in other aspects, retaining opening 151A-2 mayhave a circumferentially enclosed opening or slot configuration (asshown in, e.g., FIGS. 8B and 8C) so that walls of retaining opening151A-2 circumscribe key 432 when key 432 is disposed within retainingopening 151A-2. In either the open slot or circumferentially enclosedslot configurations, at least opposed parallel walls 151OP-2 ofretaining opening 151A-2 engage and rotationally constrain key 432. Endwalls of retaining opening 151OE-2 may also rotationally constrain key432.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 8A and8C, retaining opening 151A-2 of retaining member 150B is configured toengage key 432 with an engineered rotational compliance. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 42 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 42 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 36-38, above.

The engineered rotational compliance provides for a predetermined rangeof key 432 rotation relative to, e.g., housing 100H-2 that is greaterthan rotation resulting from manufacturing tolerances or slip/clearancefits.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 8A and8C, the engineered rotational compliance between retaining opening151A-2 of retaining member 150B and key 432 of tool retainer 430 isbetween about 30 degrees and about 270 degrees. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 43 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 43 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 42, above.

The engineered rotational compliance between retaining opening 151A-2and key 432 provides for rotation of tool 410 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 so that fastener-engagement portion411 of tool 410 can be geometrically rotationally aligned with receivingportion 197R, substantially without rotation of housing 100H-2.

For example, an initial rotational orientation of fastener-engagementportion 411 relative to receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197may be such that the geometry of fastener-engagement portion 411 is notaligned with the geometry of receiving portion 197R. The engineeredrotational compliance allows for predetermined limited rotation (e.g.rotational compliance which is a total amount of rotation in bothclockwise and counterclockwise directions) of fastener-engagementportion 411 of tool 410 relative to receiving portion 197R to aligntheir respective geometries to allow engagement betweenfastener-engagement portion 411 and receiving portion 197R. To providethe predetermined limited rotation of fastener-engagement portion 411 oftool 410, retaining opening 151A-2 may be in the form of acircumferentially enclosed butterfly slot.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 8A and8C, retaining opening 151A-2 of retaining member 150B comprises firstpair of parallel walls 151SP1-2 and second pair of parallel walls151SP2-2. Walls of first pair of parallel walls 151SP1-2 are staggeredrelative to each other along first axis SPX1-2, parallel to first pairof parallel walls 151SP1-2. Walls of second pair of parallel walls151SP2-2 are staggered relative to each other along second axis SPX2-2,parallel to second pair of parallel walls 151SP2-2. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 44 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 44 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 36-38, 42, or 43, above.

First pair of parallel walls 151SP1-2 and second pair of parallel walls151SP2-2 and the structural arrangement therebetween (as describedabove) provides for the predetermined limited rotation offastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410.

For example, the staggered configuration of first pair of parallel walls151SP1-2 and second pair of parallel walls 151SP2-2 forms thecircumferentially enclosed butterfly shape of retaining opening 151A-2,where central portion 151CP-2 of retaining opening 151A-2 is narrowerthan ends 151EP-2 of retaining opening 151A-2. First pair of parallelwalls 151SP1-2 are staggered in that each wall in first pair of parallelwalls 151SP1-2 are separated by distance G1-2. Similarly Second pair ofparallel walls 151SP2-2 are staggered in that each wall in second pairof parallel walls 151SP2-2 are separated by distance G2-2. DistancesG1-2, G2-2 may provide clearance for key 432 within central portion151CP-3 of retaining opening 242A. In one aspect, retaining opening151A-2 provides tool 410 with about 30 degrees and about 270 degrees ofrotation but in other aspects, retaining opening 151A-2 may provide tool410 with more than about 270 degrees and less than about 30 degrees ofrotation.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 8A,rotary drive 199-2 further comprises drive transmission 170-2 insidehousing 100H-2. Socket 120-2 comprises drive member 171-2, coupled todrive transmission 170-2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 45 of the present disclosure, wherein example 45also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 36-44,above.

Drive transmission 170-2 causes rotation of at least socket 120-2relative to housing 100H-2.

Drive transmission 170-2 may be any suitable drive including one or moreof gears, sprockets, chains, belts, pulleys or any other suitable drivemechanism that drivingly engage or mate drive member 171-2 of socket120-2 for causing rotation of at least socket 120-2 relative to housing100H-2. Drive transmission 170-2 may couple socket 120-2 to a drivemotor so that motive force from the drive motor is transferred throughdrive transmission 170-2 to socket 120-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 10, rotarydrive 199-2 further comprises friction member 165-2 that is interposedbetween socket 120-2 and tool 410. Friction member 165-2 is configuredto transfer rotation of socket 120-2, engaging first fastener 198, totool 410 when fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 is disengagedfrom second fastener 197, that is threadably couplable with firstfastener 198. Friction member 165-2 is also configured to discontinuetransferring the rotation of socket 120-2 to tool 410 whenfastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 becomes engaged with secondfastener 197. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 46 of the present disclosure, wherein example 46also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 32-38or 42-45, above.

The rotation of tool 410 through the use of friction member 165-2provides for the rotational alignment of fastener-engagement portion 411of tool 410 with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197substantially without rotation of housing 100H-2 relative to secondfastener 197.

For example, socket 120-2 may include groove 167-2, which may be anannular groove. Friction member 165-2, such as an O-ring or othersuitable friction member, is disposed at least partially within groove167-2 such that at least a portion of friction member 165-2 protrudestowards a centerline (which may be coincident with symmetry axis 493) ofsocket 120-2 to frictionally engage tool retainer 430 however, in otheraspects friction member 165-2 may be positioned within socket 120-2 toengage tool 410. As noted above, initial rotational orientation offastener-engagement portion 411 relative to receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener may 197 may be such that the geometry offastener-engagement portion 411 is not aligned with the geometry ofreceiving portion 197R. Socket 120-2 may be driven (e.g. rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise) such that friction member 165-2 transfersthe rotational movement of socket 120-2 to tool retainer 430 so thattool retainer 430 rotates within and is rotationally constrained byretaining opening 151A-2. The rotational movement of tool 410 (inducedby friction member 165-2) causes rotational alignment offastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 with receiving portion 197Rof second fastener 197. For example, as fastener-engagement portion 411of tool 410 rotates, fastener-engagement portion 411 of tool 410 mayfall, or otherwise move in direction D2, into receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197 when the geometries of receiving portion 197R andfastener-engagement portion 411 are aligned.

Rotation of fastener-engagement portion 411, which is induced byfriction member 165-2 through tool retainer 430, may also provide forseating fastener-engagement portion 411 within receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197. For example, when fastener-engagement portion 411is at least partially mated with receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197, tool 410 may be alternately rotated in clockwise andcounterclockwise directions until movement of fastener-engagementportion 411 in direction D2 within receiving portion 197R ceases so thatfastener-engagement portion 411 is completely or fully seated withinreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 8 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS.4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, 10, 11, and 12, method 850 of threadablycoupling first fastener 198 with second fastener 197 using rotary drive199, 199-2 comprising tool 110, 410 is provided. Method 850 comprises(block 851) rotationally anchoring second fastener 197 relative to tool110, 410 by co-axially urging fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 oftool 110, 410 against second fastener 197 and rotating tool 110, 410relative to second fastener 197 using socket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive199, 199-2 until fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410mates with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. Additionally,method 850 comprises (block 852) receiving first fastener 198 withinsocket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 co-axially withfastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410. Method 850 alsocomprises (block 853) rotating first fastener 198 with socket 120, 120-2of rotary drive 199, 199-2 relative to housing 100H, 100H-2 of rotarydrive 199, 199-2 to cause first fastener 198 to threadably engage secondfastener 197. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 47 of the present disclosure.

Rotating tool 110, 410 relative to second fastener 197 using socket 120,120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 provides for alignment offastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 with receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197. This may allow for use of rotarydrive 199, 199-2 in confined working areas.

In one aspect, first fastener 198 may be at least partially insertedwithin and be retained by socket 120, 120-2. Fastener-engagement portion111, 411 of tool 110, 410 may be aligned with second fastener 197 andmoved relative to second fastener 197 so that fastener-engagementportion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 is mated with receiving portion 197Rof second fastener 197. Rotary drive 199, 199-2 may be operated torotate socket 120, 120-2, which in turn rotates first fastener 198relative to second fastener 197 (while second fastener is heldrotationally stationary, e.g. does not rotate) to threadably engagefirst fastener 198 with second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7 and 12, method 850 further comprises (block 854) frictionallyretaining first fastener 198 within socket 120, 120-2. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 48 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 48 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 47, above.

Frictionally retaining first fastener 198 within socket 120, 120-2 mayprovide for single hand use of rotary drive 199, 199-2. Frictionallyretaining first fastener 198 within socket 120, 120-2 also enables useof rotary drive 199, 199-2 in confined work areas such that an operatordoes not have to hold first fastener 198 within socket 120, 120-2 priorto engagement of first fastener 198 with second fastener 197.

For example, socket 120, 120-2 includes groove 168, 168-2, which may bean annular groove, adjacent an end of socket 120, 120-2. Retainingmember 166, 166-2, such as an O-ring or other suitable friction member,is disposed at least partially within groove 168, 168-2 such that atleast a portion of retaining member 166, 166-2 protrudes towards acenterline (which may be coincident with symmetry axis 193, 493) ofsocket 120, 120-2 to engage first fastener 198 when first fastener 198is located at least partially within socket 120, 120-2. For example, aninner diameter of retaining member 166, 166-2 may be smaller than anouter diameter of first fastener 198 to provide a friction fit betweenretaining member 166, 166-2 and first fastener 198 so that firstfastener 198 is retained within socket 120, 120-2 by retaining member166, 166-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7 and 12, according to method 850, (block 855) rotating tool110, 410 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 relative to second fastener 197using socket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 comprises rotatingtool 110, 410 relative to housing 100H, 100H-2 of rotary drive 199,199-2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 49 of the present disclosure, wherein example 49 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 47 or 48, above.

Rotating tool 110, 410 relative to second fastener 197 using socket 120,120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 provides for alignment offastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 with receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 substantially without rotation ofhousing 100H, 100H-2. This may allow for use of rotary drive 199, 199-2in confined working areas.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7 and 12, according to method 850, (block 856) when firstfastener 198 is rotated with socket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive 199,199-2 relative to housing 100H, 100H-2 in a first direction to causefirst fastener 198 to threadably engage second fastener 197 whilefastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 of rotary drive199, 199-2 is mated with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197to rotationally anchor second fastener 197 relative to tool 110, 410 ofrotary drive 199, 199-2, tool 110, 410 is co-axially translated relativeto socket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 50 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 50 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 47-49, above.

Translation of tool 110, 410 relative to socket 120, 120-2 allows forsocket 120, 120-2 and first fastener 198 to move substantially along anaxis of second fastener 197 so that first fastener 198 is tightenedagainst workpiece WKP (e.g. where securing second fastener 197 and firstfastener 198 secure workpiece WKP) while fastener-engagement portion111, 411 of tool 110, 410 remains engaged with receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197 and prevents rotation of second fastener 197.

As described above, as first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197, rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 400 translates in directionD1 relative to socket 120, 120-2 and housing 100H, 100H-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7, and 12, method 850 further comprises (block 857) enablingfastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 to be disengagedfrom receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 by at least partiallyremoving torque between fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool110, 410 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 and receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197, resulting from rotating first fastener 198 in the firstdirection to cause first fastener 198 to threadably engage secondfastener 197 while fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410is mated with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197, by rotatingsocket 120, 120-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 in a second directionopposite to the first direction. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 51 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 51 also includes the subject matter according to example 50,above.

At least partially removing torque between fastener-engagement portion111, 411 of tool 110, 410 and receiving portion 197R of second fastenerby reversing rotation of tool 110, 410 provides for removal of tool 110,410 from receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 such that bindingbetween receiving portion 197R and fastener-engagement portion 111, 411is alleviated.

Partially removing the torque between fastener-engagement portion 111,411 of tool 110, 410 by reversing rotation of tool 110, 410 permitsalleviation of binding between tool 110, 410 and receiving portion 197Rof second fastener 197 in confined areas with little or no movement ofhousing 100H, 100H-2. In one aspect, a torque between tool 110, 410 andtool retainer 130, 430 may be greater than a torque applied betweenfirst fastener 198 and second fastener 197 to allow for the reverserotation of tool 110, 410 without disengagement between tool 110, 410and tool retainer 130, 430.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7 and 12, according to method 850, (block 858) tool 110, 410 ofrotary drive 199, 199-2 has a limited amount of rotation relative tohousing 100H, 100H-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 52 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 52 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 51, above.

As described herein, the limited amount of rotation of tool 110, 410relative to housing 100H, 100H-2 provides movement between retainingmember 150A, 150B 150A-2, 150B to allow for translation of tool 110, 410in directions D1, D2. The limited amount of rotation of tool 110, 410relative to housing 100H, 100H-2 also provides for alignment offastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 with receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5,6A, 6B, 7 and 12, according to method 850, (block 859) the limitedamount of rotation of tool 110, 410 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 relativeto housing 100H, 100H-2 of rotary drive 199, 199-2 is between about 30degrees and about 270 degrees. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 53 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 53 also includes the subject matter according to example 52,above.

The limited amount of rotation of tool 110, 410 relative to housing100H, 100H-2 between about 30 degrees and about 270 degrees provides foralignment fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410 withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.

The range of rotation provided to tool 110, 410 allows for geometricalalignment between fastener-engagement portion 111, 411 of tool 110, 410and receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 comprises tool 210and tool retainer 230. Tool 210 comprises first body 217 and second body214. First body 217 comprises tool-change-engagement portion 212 andfirst threaded portion 212T, fixed relative to tool-change-engagementportion 212. Second body 214 comprises fastener-engagement portion 211.Second body 214 is translatable relative to first body 217, co-axiallywith first body 217, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative tofirst body 217. Tool 210 further comprises keeper 216, fixed withinfirst body 217, and resilient member 215, captured between second body214 and keeper 216. Tool retainer 230 comprises second threaded portion233T, configured to be threadably fastened with first threaded portion212T of first body 217, and key 232, fixed relative to second threadedportion 233T. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 54 of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 as set forth herein allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 210 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 299 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 isinstalled. For example, tool 210 is rotationally anchored relative totool retainer 230 which allows for separation of tool 210 from toolretainer 230 while tool retainer 230 remains within rotary drive 299enabling fast swapping of a worn or broken tool 210 with a new tool 210,where fast swapping indicates a rapid or quick succession tool changethat facilitates the replacement of one tool 210 with another tool 210.Use of the rotary-drive sub-assembly decreases an amount of time neededto change a worn or broken tool 210 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 210. Further, key 132 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to rotary drive 199, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197.

For example, rotary drive 299 includes housing 200H to which retainer240 is coupled. Socket 220 is disposed at least partially within housing200H for engaging first fastener 198 (such as a nut) that is threadablyfastened to second fastener 197 (such as a threaded stud or other“blind” fastener which is a fastener accessible only from one side ofworkpiece WKP). Rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 is disposed substantiallyconcentrically with socket 220 about symmetry axis 293 where toolretainer 230 is captured within rotary drive 299, between socket 220 andretainer 240. For example, tool retainer 230 includes body 231 having atleast one retaining surface 230S that may engage one or more of socket220 and retainer 240 where engagement of retaining surface 230S with oneor more of socket 220 and retainer 240 prevents translation of toolretainer 230 in first direction D2 through socket 220 and in seconddirection D1 past retainer 240. Body 231 includes key 232, formedmonolithically with body 231 (while in other aspects, key 232 may becoupled to body 231 in any suitable manner) where key 232 engagesretainer 240 to limit rotation of tool retainer 230 within apredetermined rotational compliance, as described in greater detailbelow. First threaded portion 212T of first body 217 of tool 210 engagessecond threaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230 (which is formed inbody 231) so that engagement between first threaded portion 212T andsecond threaded portion 233T will be reversed when tool 210 is to bedecoupled from tool retainer 230 to allow changing one tool 210 foranother tool 210.

Second body 214 of tool 210 is located at least partially within firstbody 217 of tool 210 so that one end of second body 214, that includesfastener-engagement portion 211, extends through second aperture 250 offirst body 217. In one aspect, fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 extends through second aperture 250 where suitable clearance isprovided between fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 andsecond aperture 250 of first body 217 to allow second body 214 totranslate in direction D1 and direction D2 relative to first body 217.Second aperture 250 has a geometry that is complementary tofastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 so as to rotationallyanchor second body 214 to first body 217 (and hence to tool retainer230).

Second body 214 of tool 210 may be at least partially contained withinfirst body 217 of tool 210 so that second body 214 and first body 217form a unitary member. For example, second body 214 includes shoulder255. Fastener-engagement portion 211 extends from a first side ofshoulder 255 to form first end 214E1 of second body 214, whilefastener-engagement indicator 213 extends from a second side of shoulder255 to form second end 214E2 of second body 214, where the second sideof shoulder 255 is opposite the first side of shoulder 255. In oneaspect, fastener-engagement portion 211, shoulder 255 andfastener-engagement indicator 213 are monolithically formed as a onepiece member while in other aspects, fastener-engagement portion 211,shoulder 255 and fastener-engagement indicator 213 may have any suitableconstruction. In one aspect, shoulder 255 prevents second body 214 fromcompletely passing through second aperture 250 of first body 217 indirection D2. For example, one end of first body 217 includes a wallforming stop surface 217S in which second aperture 250 is formed.Shoulder 255 engages stop surface 217S to arrest movement of second body214 in direction D2. Keeper 216 is disposed within first body 217, suchas by a friction or press fit so that shoulder 255 is captured withinfirst body 217 between stop surface 217S and keeper 216 so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 extends through second aperture 250 andfastener-engagement indicator 213 extends through keeper 216 (notingthat there is suitable clearance between keeper 216 andfastener-engagement indicator 213 to allow fastener-engagement indicator213 to freely move through keeper 216). Resilient member 215 is capturedbetween shoulder 255 of second body 214 and keeper 216 so as to biasshoulder 255 of second body 214 against stop surface 217S of first body217.

Fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 of tool 210 may beconfigured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 210 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197 as described herein. Fastener-engagement portion 211 mayhave any suitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration corresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener197. Tool-change-engagement portion 212 of first body 217 is disposedbetween at least a portion of fastener-engagement portion 211 thatextends through second aperture 250 and first threaded portion 212Twhere tool-change-engagement portion 212 includes any suitableconfiguration or geometry such as for example, hex drive, clutch drive,TORX® drive, spline drive or any other drive configuration suitable forcausing rotation of tool 210 relative to tool retainer 230 for engagingor disengaging first threaded portion 212T of tool 210 and secondthreaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230. Tool-change-engagementportion 212 may have the same or different configuration or geometrythan fastener-engagement portion 211. For example, in one aspect,tool-change-engagement portion 212 may have a TORX® configuration whilefastener-engagement portion 211 has a hex configuration, and in otheraspects, for example, both tool-change-engagement portion 212 andfastener-engagement portion 211 have hex configurations.

In one aspect, engagement between tool 210 and tool retainer 230rotationally anchors tool 210 to tool retainer 230 so that tool 210 isnot rotationally movable (in the direction of engagement) about symmetryaxis 293. For example, as tool 210 is threaded into tool retainer 230(e.g. through engagement between first threaded portion 212T and secondthreaded portion 233T where tool 210 is rotated in a first directionrelative to tool retainer 230) stop surface 210S of tool 210 contacts,e.g., retaining surface 230S of tool retainer 230 to arrest rotation oftool 210 relative to tool retainer 230 so that stop surface 210S of tool210 is seated against (e.g. in contact with) retaining surface 230S oftool retainer 230. However, rotationally anchoring tool 210 to toolretainer 230 does not prevent a reverse rotation in a second direction(e.g. that is opposite the first direction) of tool 210 relative to toolretainer 230 to disengage first threaded portion 212T from secondthreaded portion 233T to allow removal of tool 210 from tool retainer230. Likewise, tool 210 is translationally anchored relative to toolretainer 230 in that the contact between stop surface 210S and retainingsurface 230S (in addition to engagement of first threaded portion 212Tand second threaded portion 233T) prevents translation of tool 210relative to tool retainer 230 along symmetry axis 293.

Fastener-engagement portion 211 is limited in size so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 fits within a minor diameter of thethreads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 212 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 212 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 212 may provide increased torqueapplication to tool 210 to allow threadable fastening of tool 210 andtool retainer 230. Further, the two piece configuration of first body217 and second body 214 may limit damage and/or wear offastener-engagement portion 211 to second body 214 whiletool-change-engagement portion 212 of first body remains intact andundamaged.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17 and 18, tool retainer 230 comprises first aperture 233.Second body 214 of tool 210 comprises fastener-engagement indicator 213that extends into first aperture 233 of tool retainer 230. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 55 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 55 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 54, above.

Fastener-engagement indicator 213 provides an operator of rotary drive299 a tactile or visual indicator of when fastener-engagement portion211 of second body 214 is engaged with receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197.

For example, when fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 isengaged with and fully seated within receiving portion 197R, end offastener-engagement indicator 213 may be substantially flush with orsubstantially even with surface 232S of key 232 (as illustrated in,e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17). When fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 is misaligned (e.g. either rotationally misaligned or notcoaxial aligned) with receiving portion 197R, end of fastener-engagementindicator 213 may protrude above surface 232S of key 232 (as illustratedin, e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17).

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, fastener-engagement indicator 213 andfastener-engagement portion 211 are located at opposite ends of secondbody 214. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 56 of the present disclosure, wherein example 56 also includesthe subject matter according to example 55, above.

Locating fastener-engagement indicator 213 and fastener-engagementportion 211 on opposite ends of second body 214 allows forfastener-engagement indicator 213 to extend past surface 232S of key 232to provide a tactile and/or visual indication of misalignment betweenfastener-engagement portion 211 and receiving portion 197R or firstfastener 198.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, at least a portion of resilient member 215 of firstbody 217 of tool 210 surrounds at least a portion of fastener-engagementindicator 213 of second body 214. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 57 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 57 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 55 or 56, above.

Arranging resilient member 215 of first body 217 so that resilientmember 215 surrounds at least a portion of fastener-engagement indicator213 of second body provides for guided non-binding movement of resilientmember 215.

For example, fastener-engagement indicator 213 passes through a centerof resilient member 215 and forms a guide rod for compression andexpansion of resilient member 215 so substantially prevent binding ofresilient member 215 during translational movement of second body 214relative to first body 217 in direction D1 and direction D2.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, first threaded portion 212T of first body 217 oftool 210 comprises first external thread 212E and second threadedportion 233T of tool retainer 230 comprises first internal thread 2331.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 58of the present disclosure, wherein example 58 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 54-57, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 15B,first threaded portion 212T of first body 217 of tool 210 comprisessecond internal thread 2121 and second threaded portion 233T of toolretainer 230 comprises second external thread 233E. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 59 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 59 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 54-57, above.

Providing variability in thread configurations, such as in examples 58and 59 above, allows for ease of manufacturing of first threaded portion212T and second threaded portion 233T.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 15B, 16, 17 and 18, first threaded portion 212T of first body 217of tool 210 and second threaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230comprise left-hand threads. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 60 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 60 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 54-59, above.

The left-hand thread configuration of tool 210 as described in example60 above allows for use of the rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 inright-hand fastener (e.g. fasteners with right-hand threads)applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 15B, 16, 17 and 18, first threaded portion 212T of first body 217of tool 210 and second threaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230comprise right-hand threads. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 61 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 61 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 54-59, above.

The right-hand thread configuration of tool 210 as described in example61 above allows for use of rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 in left-handfastener (e.g. fasteners with left-hand threads) applications.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17 and 18, resilient member 215 of tool 210 is spring 215A. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 62 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 62 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 54-61, above.

Spring 215A provides for biased translational movement of second body214 within first body 217.

Spring 215A may be a coil spring where fastener-engagement indicator 213passes through an inside diameter of the coil spring for guidingcompression and expansion of the coil spring. In other aspects, spring215A may be any suitable spring for providing biased movement of secondbody 214 relative to first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17 and 18, first body 217 of tool 210 comprises second aperture250 that is geometrically complementary to fastener-engagement portion211 of second body 214 of tool 210. Second body 214 extends through andengages second aperture 250 to rotationally fix second body 214 relativeto first body 217. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 63 of the present disclosure, wherein example 63also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 54-62,above.

The geometrically complementary shapes of second aperture 250 of firstbody 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214rotationally fixes fastener-engagement portion 211 relative to, forexample, housing 200H of rotary drive 299 so that second fastener 197 isheld rotationally fixed by fastener-engagement portion 211 duringthreadable engagement between first fastener 198 and second fastener197.

For example, fastener-engagement portion 211 has a hex configuration.Second aperture 250 of first body 217 also has a hex configuration (orany other geometrical configuration corresponding to any suitablegeometrical configuration of fastener-engagement portion 211). Asdescribed above, suitable clearance is provided between second aperture250 of first body 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 can move freely through second aperture250 in direction D1 and direction D2. The mating interface betweensecond aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion 211 preventsrotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 relativeto housing 200H. For example, as described above, first body 217 isrotationally anchored to tool retainer 230 where tool retainer 230 isrotationally fixed (within predefined limits as described herein)relative to housing 200H through the mating interaction between key 232of tool retainer 230 and retaining opening 242A of retainer 240. Assuch, rotationally anchored first body 217 holds second body 214rotationally fixed, relative to housing 200H, through the matinginterface between second aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion211.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, rotary drive 299 comprises tool 210 and toolretainer 230. Tool 210 comprises first body 217 and second body 214.First body 217 comprises tool-change-engagement portion 212 and firstthreaded portion 212T, fixed relative to tool-change-engagement portion212. Second body 214 comprises fastener-engagement portion 211. Secondbody 214 is translatable relative to first body 217, co-axially withfirst body 217, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative to firstbody 217. Tool 210 further comprises keeper 216, fixed within first body217, and resilient member 215, captured between second body 214 andkeeper 216. Tool retainer 230 comprises second threaded portion 233T,configured to be threadably engaged with first threaded portion 212T offirst body 217, and key 232, fixed relative to second threaded portion233T. Rotary drive 299 further comprises retainer 240, configured to becoupled with key 232 of tool retainer 230, and socket 220, co-axiallyrotatable relative to tool retainer 230 when retainer 240 is coupledwith key 232 of tool retainer 230. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 64 of the present disclosure.

Use of rotary drive 299 including rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 allowsfor operator (e.g. without the need for a specialized mechanic or repairperson) changing of worn or broken tools 210. For example, use ofrotary-drive sub-assembly 200 as set forth herein allows for theinstallation and removal of a worn or broken tool 210 withoutdisassembling rotary drive 299 in which rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 isinstalled. For example, tool 210 is rotationally anchored relative totool retainer 230 which allows for separation of tool 210 from toolretainer 230 while tool retainer 230 remains within rotary drive 299enabling fast swapping of a worn or broken tool 210 with a new tool 210,where fast swapping indicates a rapid or quick succession tool changethat facilitates the replacement of one tool 210 with another tool 210.Use of the rotary-drive sub-assembly decreases an amount of time neededto change a worn or broken tool 210 which also decreases an amount ofproduction downtime associated with the change of the worn or brokentool 210. Further, key 132 prevents rotation of rotary-drivesub-assembly 100 relative to rotary drive 199, within predeterminedrotational limits as described herein, to allow first fastener 198 to bethreadably engaged to second fastener 197.

In a manner similar to that described above, e.g., rotary drive 299includes housing 200H to which retainer 240 is coupled. Socket 220 isdisposed at least partially within housing 200H for engaging firstfastener 198 (such as a nut) that is threadably fastened to secondfastener 197. Rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 is disposed substantiallyconcentrically with socket 220 about symmetry axis 293 where toolretainer 230 is captured within rotary drive 299, between socket 220 andretainer 240. For example, tool retainer 230 includes body 231 having atleast one retaining surface 230S that may engage one or more of socket220 and retainer 240 where engagement of retaining surface 230S with oneor more of socket 220 and retainer 240 prevents translation of toolretainer 230 in first direction D2 through socket 220 and in seconddirection D1 past retainer 240. Body 231 includes key 232, formedmonolithically with body 231 (while in other aspects, key 232 may becoupled to body 231 in any suitable manner) where key 232 engagesretainer 240 to limit rotation of tool retainer 230 within apredetermined rotational compliance, as described in greater detailbelow. First threaded portion 212T of first body 217 of tool 210 engagessecond threaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230 (which is formed inbody 231) so that engagement between first threaded portion 212T andsecond threaded portion 233T will be reversed when tool 210 is to bedecoupled from tool retainer 230 to allow changing one tool 210 foranother tool 210.

Second body 214 of tool 210 is located at least partially within firstbody 217 of tool 210 so that one end of second body 214, that includesfastener-engagement portion 211, extends through second aperture 250 offirst body 217. In one aspect, fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 extends through second aperture 250 where suitable clearance isprovided between fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 andsecond aperture 250 of first body 217 to allow second body 214 totranslate in direction D1 and direction D2 relative to first body 217.

Second body 214 of tool 210 may be at least partially contained withinfirst body 217 of tool 210 so that second body 214 and first body 217form a unitary member. For example, second body 214 includes shoulder255. Fastener-engagement portion 211 extends from a first side ofshoulder 255 while fastener-engagement indicator 213 extends from asecond side of shoulder 255, where the second side of shoulder 255 isopposite the first side of shoulder 255. In one aspect,fastener-engagement portion 211, shoulder 255 and fastener-engagementindicator 213 are monolithically formed as a one piece member while inother aspects, fastener-engagement portion 211, shoulder 255 andfastener-engagement indicator 213 may have any suitable construction. Inone aspect, shoulder 255 prevents second body 214 from completelypassing through second aperture 250 of first body 217 in direction D2.For example, one end of first body 217 includes a wall forming stopsurface 217S in which second aperture 250 is formed. Shoulder 255engages stop surface 217S to arrest movement of second body 214 indirection D2. Keeper 216 is disposed within first body 217, such as by afriction or press fit so that shoulder 255 is captured within first body217 between stop surface 217S and keeper 216 so that fastener-engagementportion 211 extends through second aperture 250 and fastener-engagementindicator 213 extends through keeper 216 (noting that there is suitableclearance between keeper 216 and fastener-engagement indicator 213 toallow fastener-engagement indicator 213 to freely move through keeper216). Resilient member 215 is captured between shoulder 255 of secondbody 214 and keeper 216 so as to bias shoulder 255 of second body 214against stop surface 217S of first body 217.

Fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 of tool 210 may beconfigured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 210 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197 as described herein. As noted above, fastener-engagementportion 211 may have any suitable configuration or geometry such as, forexample, hex drive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any otherdrive configuration corresponding to receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197. Tool-change-engagement portion 212 of first body 217 isdisposed between at least a portion of fastener-engagement portion 211that extends through second aperture 250 and first threaded portion 212Twhere tool-change-engagement portion 212 includes any suitableconfiguration or geometry such as for example, hex drive, clutch drive,TORX® drive, spline drive or any other drive configuration suitable forcausing rotation of tool 210 relative to tool retainer 230 for engagingor disengaging first threaded portion 212T of tool 210 and secondthreaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230. Tool-change-engagementportion 212 may have the same or different configuration or geometrythan fastener-engagement portion 211. For example, in one aspect,tool-change-engagement portion 212 may have a TORX® configuration whilefastener-engagement portion 211 has a hex configuration, and in otheraspects, for example, both tool-change-engagement portion 212 andfastener-engagement portion 211 have hex configurations.

In one aspect, engagement between tool 210 and tool retainer 230rotationally anchors tool 210 to tool retainer 230 so that tool 210 isnot rotationally movable (in the direction of engagement) about symmetryaxis 293. For example, as tool 210 is threaded into tool retainer 230(e.g. through engagement between first threaded portion 212T and secondthreaded portion 233T where tool 210 is rotated in a first directionrelative to tool retainer 230) stop surface 210S of tool 210 contacts,e.g., retaining surface 230S of tool retainer 230 to arrest rotation oftool 210 relative to tool retainer 230 so that stop surface 210S of tool210 is seated against (e.g. in contact with) retaining surface 230S oftool retainer 230. However, rotationally anchoring tool 210 to toolretainer 230 does not prevent a reverse rotation in a second direction(e.g. that is opposite the first direction) of tool 210 relative to toolretainer 230 to disengage first threaded portion 212T from secondthreaded portion 233T to allow removal of tool 210 from tool retainer230. Likewise, tool 210 is translationally anchored relative to toolretainer 230 in that the contact between stop surface 210S and retainingsurface 230S (in addition to engagement of first threaded portion 212Tand second threaded portion 233T) prevents translation of tool 210relative to tool retainer 230 along symmetry axis 293.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, tool retainer 230 comprises first aperture 233 andsecond body 214 of tool 210 comprises fastener-engagement indicator 213that extends into first aperture 233 of tool retainer 230. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 65 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 65 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 64, above.

Fastener-engagement indicator 213 provides an operator of rotary drive299 a tactile or visual indicator of when fastener-engagement portion211 of second body 214 is engaged with receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197.

For example, when fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 isengaged with and fully seated within receiving portion 197R, end offastener-engagement indicator 213 may be substantially flush with orsubstantially even with surface 232S of key 232 (as illustrated in,e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17). When fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 is misaligned (e.g. either rotationally misaligned or notcoaxial aligned) with receiving portion 197R, end of fastener-engagementindicator 213 may protrude above surface 232S of key 232 (as illustratedin, e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17).

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, fastener-engagement indicator 213 andfastener-engagement portion 211 are located at opposite ends of secondbody 214. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 66 of the present disclosure, wherein example 66 also includesthe subject matter according to example 65, above.

Locating fastener-engagement indicator 213 and fastener-engagementportion 211 on opposite ends of second body 214 allows forfastener-engagement indicator 213 to extend past surface 232S of key 232to provide a tactile and/or visual indication of misalignment betweenfastener-engagement portion 211 and receiving portion 197R or firstfastener 198.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,15A, 16, 17, and 18, at least a portion of resilient member 215 of firstbody 217 of tool 210 surrounds at least a portion of fastener-engagementindicator 213 of second body 214. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 67 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 67 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 65 or 66, above.

Arranging resilient member 215 of first body 217 so that resilientmember 215 surrounds at least a portion of fastener-engagement indicator213 of second body provides for guided non-binding movement of resilientmember 215.

As described above, e.g., fastener-engagement indicator 213 passesthrough a center of resilient member 215 and forms a guide rod forcompression and expansion of resilient member 215 so substantiallyprevent binding of resilient member 215 during translational movement ofsecond body 214 relative to first body 217 in direction D1 and directionD2.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 15A,resilient member 215 of tool 210 is spring 215A. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 68 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 68 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 64-67, above.

Spring 215A provides for biased translational movement of second body214 within first body 217.

As described above, spring 215A may be a coil spring wherefastener-engagement indicator 213 passes through an inside diameter ofthe coil spring for guiding compression and expansion of the coilspring. In other aspects, spring 215A may be any suitable spring forproviding biased movement of second body 214 relative to first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A and16, first body 217 of tool 210 comprises second aperture 250 that isgeometrically complementary to fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 of tool 210. Second body 214 extends through and engages secondaperture 250 to rotationally fix second body 214 relative to first body217. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 69 of the present disclosure, wherein example 69 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 64-68, above.

The geometrically complementary shapes of second aperture 250 of firstbody 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214rotationally fixes fastener-engagement portion 211 relative to, forexample, housing 200H of rotary drive 299 so that second fastener 197 isheld rotationally fixed by fastener-engagement portion 211 duringthreadable engagement between first fastener 198 and second fastener197.

For example, fastener-engagement portion 211 has a hex configuration.Second aperture 250 of first body 217 also has a hex configuration (orany other geometrical configuration corresponding to any suitablegeometrical configuration of fastener-engagement portion 211). Asdescribed above, suitable clearance is provided between second aperture250 of first body 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 can move freely through second aperture250 in direction D1 and direction D2. The mating interface betweensecond aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion 211 preventsrotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 relativeto housing 200H. For example, as described above, first body 217 isrotationally anchored to tool retainer 230 where tool retainer 230 isrotationally fixed (within predefined limits as described herein)relative to housing 200H through the mating interaction between key 232of tool retainer 230 and retaining opening 242A of retainer 240. Assuch, rotationally anchored first body 217 holds second body 214rotationally fixed, relative to housing 200H, through the matinginterface between second aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion211.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A and16, first body 217 of tool 210 further comprises first cavity 251 incommunication with second aperture 250. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 70 of the present disclosure,wherein example 70 also includes the subject matter according to example69, above.

First cavity 251 provides guided movement of shoulder 255 of second body214 in direction D1 and D2. First cavity 251 also houses resilientmember 215 and keeper so that first body 217, second body 214, resilientmember 215 and keeper 216 form a unitized assembly that is installed andremoved from rotary drive 299 as a one piece, self-contained, unitarymember as described above.

For example, second body 214 is at least partially located within firstcavity 251 of first body 217 so that fastener-engagement portion 211 ofsecond body 214 extends through second aperture 250. As described above,mating geometries of fastener-engagement portion 211 and second aperture250 prevent relative rotation between first body 217 and second body214. Second aperture 250 may also define a bearing interface for atleast partially guiding movement of second body 214 relative to firstbody 217 in direction D1 and direction D2. First cavity 251 may alsodefine a bearing surface for shoulder 255 that is configured to guidemovement of shoulder 255 in direction D1 and D2 and stop surface 217Sthat is configured to arrest movement so that first cavity 251 andsecond aperture 250 form a bearing system that is configured to provideco-axial movement of second body 214 relative to first body 217 indirection D1 and direction D2.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A and16, first cavity 251 of first body 217 and second aperture 250 haveperpendicular cross-sections that are different from each other. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 71 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 71 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 70, above.

The different perpendicular cross-sections of first cavity 251 of firstbody 217 and second aperture 250 provide at least one retaining or stopsurface 217S for stopping movement of second body 214 in direction D2relative to first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, second body 214 of tool 210 is translatable within firstcavity 251 of first body 217 of tool 210, co-axially with first body217. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 72 of the present disclosure, wherein example 72 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 70 or 71, above.

Translation of second body 214 of tool 210 within first cavity 251 offirst body 217 of tool 210 provides for relative movement between firstbody 217 and second body 214 as first fastener 198 threadably engagessecond fastener 197.

For example, as first fastener 198 threadably engages second fastener197, socket 220 and first fastener 198 move in direction D1 while secondfastener 197 does not move in direction D1 or direction D1. As describedabove, first body 217 is held captive between tool retainer 230 andsocket and also moves in direction D2 as first fastener 198 isthreadably engaged with second fastener 197. Translation of second body214 of tool 210 within first cavity 251 of first body 217 of tool 210allows first body 217 and socket 220 to move in direction D2 whilefastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 remains engaged withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, second body 214 of tool 210 comprises shoulder 255, locatedbetween fastener-engagement portion 211 and fastener-engagementindicator 213. Keeper 216 is fixed at one end of first cavity 251,opposite from second aperture 250. A perpendicular cross-section offirst cavity 251 of first body 217 is larger than a perpendicularcross-section of second aperture 250 of first body 217. Shoulder 255 ofsecond body 214 is movably captured between keeper 216 and secondaperture 250 of first body 217. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 73 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 73 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 70-72, above.

First cavity 251 also houses resilient member 215 and keeper 216 so thatfirst body 217, second body 214, resilient member 215 and keeper 216form a unitized assembly that is installed and removed from rotary drive299 as a one piece, self-contained, unitary member as described above

For example, as described above, the different perpendicularcross-sections of first cavity 251 of first body 217 and second apertureof first body 217 form a wall at one end of first body 217 where secondaperture 250 is formed within the wall. This wall forms stop surface217S. Shoulder 255 engages stop surface 217S to arrest movement ofsecond body 214 in direction D2. Keeper 216 is disposed within firstbody 217, such as by a friction or press fit so that shoulder 255 iscaptured within first body 217 between stop surface 217S and keeper 216so that fastener-engagement portion 211 extends through second aperture250 and fastener-engagement indicator 213 extends through keeper 216.Resilient member 215 is captured between shoulder 255 of second body 214and keeper 216 so as to bias shoulder 255 of second body 214 againststop surface 217S of first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, resilient member 215 is movably captured between shoulder255 of second body 214 and keeper 216. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 74 of the present disclosure,wherein example 74 also includes the subject matter according to example73, above.

Capturing resilient member 215 between shoulder 255 of second body 214and keeper 216 biases second body 214 in direction D2 so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 protrudes throughsecond aperture 250.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A,14D, 17, and 18, rotary drive 299 comprises housing 200H. Retainer 240is coupled to housing 200H. Tool retainer 230 is captured between socket220 and retainer 240. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 75 of the present disclosure, wherein example 75also includes the subject matter according to example 74, above.

Retainer 240 rotationally constrains tool retainer 230 to that tool 210can be installed to and uninstalled from tool retainer 230 as describedherein. Retainer 240 also prevents tool retainer 230 from being removedfrom rotary drive 299.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, retainer 240 comprises second cavity 241. Tool retainer 230is disposed at least partially within second cavity 241. Retainer 240comprises retaining opening 242A in communication with second cavity241. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 76 of the present disclosure, wherein example 76 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 64-75, above.

Second cavity 241 of retainer 240 may co-axially align tool retainer 230with socket 220. Retaining opening 242A interfaces with key 232 of toolretainer to constrain rotation of tool retainer 230 relative to, forexample, housing 200H.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14C,15A, 16, 17, and 18, retaining opening 242A of retainer 240 isconfigured to engage key 232 of tool retainer 230 with an intrinsicrotational backlash. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 77 of the present disclosure, wherein example 77also includes the subject matter according to example 76, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14C,15A, 16, 17, and 18, the intrinsic rotational backlash between retainingopening 242A of retainer 240 and key 232 of tool retainer 230 is lessthan about 10 degrees. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 78 of the present disclosure, wherein example 78also includes the subject matter according to example 77, above.

The intrinsic rotational backlash between key 232 and retaining opening242A maintains a substantially fixed (non-rotating) relationship betweentool 210 (rotationally anchored to tool retainer 230) of rotary-drivesub-assembly 200 and housing 200H.

For example, while less than 10 degrees of rotation may be providedbetween key 232 and retaining opening 242A, this intrinsic rotationalbacklash may be defined as a result of manufacturing tolerances thatprovide a slip or clearance fit between key 232 and retaining opening242A, where the amount of rotation provided by the intrinsic rotationalbacklash is a total rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwisedirections.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14C,15A, 16, 17, and 18, retaining opening 242A of retainer 240 comprisespair of opposed parallel walls 151OP-3. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 79 of the present disclosure,wherein example 79 also includes the subject matter according to any oneof examples 77 or 78, above.

Opposed parallel walls 151OP-3 engage key 232 to substantially preventrotation of key 232.

For example, retaining opening 242A may have a circumferentiallyenclosed opening or slot configuration (as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 14A and14C) so that walls of retaining opening 242A circumscribe key 232 whenkey 232 is disposed within retaining opening 242A. At least opposedparallel walls 151OP-3 of retaining opening 242A engage and rotationallyconstrain key 232. End walls 151OE-3 of retaining opening 242A may alsorotationally constrain key 232.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 14B,retaining opening 242A of retainer 240 is configured to engage key 232of tool retainer 230 with an engineered rotational compliance. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 80 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 80 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 64-76, above.

The engineered rotational compliance provides for a predetermined rangeof key 232 rotation relative to, e.g., housing 200H that is greater thanrotation resulting from manufacturing tolerances or slip/clearance fits.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 14B, theengineered rotational compliance between retaining opening 242A ofretainer 240 and key 232 of tool retainer 230 is between about 30degrees and about 270 degrees. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 81 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 81 also includes the subject matter according to example 80,above.

The engineered rotational compliance between retaining opening 242A andkey 232 provides for rotation of tool 210 relative to receiving portion197R of second fastener 197 so that fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210 can be geometrically rotationally aligned with receivingportion 197R, substantially without rotation of housing 200H.

For example, an initial rotational orientation of fastener-engagementportion 211 relative to receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197may be such that the geometry of fastener-engagement portion 211 is notaligned with the geometry of receiving portion 197R. The engineeredrotational compliance allows for predetermined limited rotation (e.g.rotational compliance which is a total amount of rotation in bothclockwise and counterclockwise directions) of fastener-engagementportion 211 of tool 210 relative to receiving portion 197R to aligntheir respective geometries to allow engagement betweenfastener-engagement portion 211 and receiving portion 197R. To providethe predetermined limited rotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210, retaining opening 242A may be in the form of acircumferentially enclosed butterfly slot.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 14B,retaining opening 242A of retainer 240 comprises first pair of parallelwalls 151SP1-3 and second pair of parallel walls 151SP2-3. Walls offirst pair of parallel walls 151SP1-3 are staggered relative to eachother along first axis SPX1-3, parallel to first pair of parallel walls151SP1-3. Walls of second pair of parallel walls 151SP2-3 are staggeredrelative to each other along second axis SPX2-3, parallel to second pairof parallel walls 151SP2-3. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 82 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 82 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 80 or 81, above.

First pair of parallel walls 151SP1-3 and second pair of parallel walls151SP2-3 and the structural arrangement therebetween (as describedabove) provides for the predetermined limited rotation offastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210.

For example, the staggered configuration of first pair of parallel walls151SP1-3 and second pair of parallel walls 151SP2-3 forms thecircumferentially enclosed butterfly shape of retaining opening 242A,where central portion 151CP-3 of retaining opening 242A is narrower thanends 151EP-3 of retaining opening 242A. First pair of parallel walls151SP1-3 are staggered in that each wall in first pair of parallel walls151SP1-3 are separated by distance G1-3. Similarly Second pair ofparallel walls 151SP2-3 are staggered in that each wall in second pairof parallel walls 151SP2-3 are separated by distance G2-3. DistancesG1-3, G2-3 may provide clearance for key 232 within central portion151CP-3 of retaining opening 242A. In one aspect, retaining opening 242Aprovides tool 210 with about 30 degrees and about 270 degrees ofrotation but in other aspects, retaining opening 242A may provide tool210 with more than about 270 degrees and less than about 30 degrees ofrotation.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 16,rotary drive 299 further comprises friction member 165-3, interposedbetween socket 220 and first body 217 of tool 210. Friction member 165-3is configured to transfer rotation of socket 220, engaging firstfastener 198, to tool 210 when fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 of tool 210 is disengaged from second fastener 197 that isthreadably couplable with first fastener 198. Friction member 165-3 isalso configured to discontinue transferring the rotation of socket 220to tool 210 when fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 becomesengaged with second fastener 197. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 83 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 83 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 64-76 or 80-82, above.

The rotation of tool 210 through the use of friction member 165-3provides for the rotational alignment of fastener-engagement portion 211of tool 210 with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197substantially without rotation of housing 200H relative to secondfastener 197.

For example, socket 220 may include groove 167-3, which may be anannular groove. Friction member 165-3, such as an O-ring or othersuitable friction member, is disposed at least partially within groove167-3 such that at least a portion of friction member 165-3 protrudestowards a centerline (which may be coincident with symmetry axis 293) ofsocket 220 to frictionally engage tool 210. In a manner similar to thatdescribed above, initial rotational orientation of fastener-engagementportion 211 relative to receiving portion 197R of second fastener may197 may be such that the geometry of fastener-engagement portion 211 isnot aligned with the geometry of receiving portion 197R. Socket 220 maybe driven (e.g. rotated clockwise or counterclockwise) such thatfriction member 165-3 transfers the rotational movement of socket 220 totool 210 so that tool 210 rotates within and is rotationally constrainedby retaining opening 242A. The rotational movement of tool 210 (inducedby friction member 165-3) causes rotational alignment offastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 with receiving portion 197Rof second fastener 197. For example, as fastener-engagement portion 211of tool 210 rotates, fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 mayfall, or otherwise move in direction D2, into receiving portion 197R ofsecond fastener 197 when the geometries of receiving portion 197R andfastener-engagement portion 211 are aligned.

Rotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 induced by friction member165-3 may also provide for seating fastener-engagement portion 211within receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. For example, whenfastener-engagement portion 211 is at least partially mated withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197, tool 210 may bealternately rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions untilmovement of fastener-engagement portion 211 in direction D2 withinreceiving portion 197R ceases so that fastener-engagement portion 211 iscompletely or fully seated within receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14D and16, rotary drive 299 further comprises drive transmission 170-3. Socket220 comprises drive member 171-3, coupled to drive transmission 170-3.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 84of the present disclosure, wherein example 84 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 64-83, above.

Drive transmission 170-3 causes rotation of at least socket 120-3relative to housing 200H.

Drive transmission 170-3 may be any suitable drive including one or moreof gears, sprockets, chains, belts, pulleys or any other suitable drivemechanism that drivingly engage or mate drive member 171-3 of socket 220for causing rotation of at least socket 220 relative to housing 200H.Drive transmission 170-3 may couple socket 220 to a drive motor so thatmotive force from the drive motor is transferred through drivetransmission 170-3 to socket 220.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A and15B, tool 210 comprises first body 217, second body 214, keeper 216, andresilient member 215. First body 217 comprises tool-change-engagementportion 212 and first threaded portion 212T, fixed relative totool-change-engagement portion 212. Second body 214 comprisesfastener-engagement portion 211. Second body 214 is translatablerelative to first body 217, co-axially with first body 217, and isco-axially rotationally fixed relative to first body 217. Keeper 216 isfixed within first body 217 and resilient member 215 is captured betweensecond body 214 and keeper 216. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 85 of the present disclosure.

Tool 210 has distinct portions, e.g. fastener-engagement portion 211 andtool-change-engagement portion 212, that allow for removal of tool 210from rotary drive 299 even when fastener-engagement portion 211 isdamaged or otherwise unusable. Further, providing translation of thesecond body relative to the first body allows for relative movementbetween socket 220 of rotary drive 299 and fastener-engagement portion211 which simplifies the configuration of rotary drive 299 in thatexternal springs and pivots are not needed to allow biased movement offastener-engagement portion 211 relative to socket 220 and housing 200Hof rotary drive 299. In addition, capturing second body 214 andresilient member 215 within first body 217 provides a unitary toolmember that can be installed or uninstalled from rotary drive 299 as aunitary one piece member.

As described above, second body 214 of tool 210 is located at leastpartially within first body 217 of tool 210 so that one end of secondbody 214, that includes fastener-engagement portion 211, extends throughsecond aperture 250 of first body 217. In one aspect,fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 extends throughsecond aperture 250 where suitable clearance is provided betweenfastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 and second aperture250 of first body 217 to allow second body 214 to translate in directionD1 and direction D2 relative to first body 217. Second aperture 250 hasa geometry that is complementary to fastener-engagement portion 211 ofsecond body 214 so as to rotationally anchor second body 214 to firstbody 217 (and hence to tool retainer 230).

Second body 214 of tool 210 may be at least partially contained withinfirst body 217 of tool 210 so that second body 214 and first body 217form a unitary member. For example, second body 214 includes shoulder255. Fastener-engagement portion 211 extends from a first side ofshoulder 255 while fastener-engagement indicator 213 extends from asecond side of shoulder 255, where the second side of shoulder 255 isopposite the first side of shoulder 255. In one aspect,fastener-engagement portion 211, shoulder 255 and fastener-engagementindicator 213 are monolithically formed as a one piece member while inother aspects, fastener-engagement portion 211, shoulder 255 andfastener-engagement indicator 213 may have any suitable construction. Inone aspect, shoulder 255 prevents second body 214 from completelypassing through second aperture 250 of first body 217 in direction D2.For example, one end of first body 217 includes a wall forming stopsurface 217S in which second aperture 250 is formed. Shoulder 255engages stop surface 217S to arrest movement of second body 214 indirection D2. Keeper 216 is disposed within first body 217, such as by afriction or press fit so that shoulder 255 is captured within first body217 between stop surface 217S and keeper 216 so that fastener-engagementportion 211 extends through second aperture 250 and fastener-engagementindicator 213 extends through keeper 216 (noting that there is suitableclearance between keeper 216 and fastener-engagement indicator 213 toallow fastener-engagement indicator 213 to freely move through keeper216). Resilient member 215 is captured between shoulder 255 of secondbody 214 and keeper 216 so as to bias shoulder 255 of second body 214against stop surface 217S of first body 217.

Fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 of tool 210 may beconfigured to engage a geometrically complementary receiving portion197R within second fastener 197 so that tool 210 prevents rotation ofsecond fastener 197 while first fastener 198 is threaded onto secondfastener 197 as described herein. Fastener-engagement portion 211 mayhave any suitable configuration or geometry such as, for example, hexdrive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline drive or any other driveconfiguration corresponding to receiving portion 197R of second fastener197. Tool-change-engagement portion 212 of first body 217 is disposedbetween at least a portion of fastener-engagement portion 211 thatextends through second aperture 250 and first threaded portion 212Twhere tool-change-engagement portion 212 includes any suitableconfiguration or geometry such as for example, hex drive, clutch drive,TORX® drive, spline drive or any other drive configuration suitable forcausing rotation of tool 210 relative to tool retainer 230 for engagingor disengaging first threaded portion 212T of tool 210 and secondthreaded portion 233T of tool retainer 230. Tool-change-engagementportion 212 may have the same or different configuration or geometrythan fastener-engagement portion 211. For example, in one aspect,tool-change-engagement portion 212 may have a TORX® configuration whilefastener-engagement portion 211 has a hex configuration, and in otheraspects, for example, both tool-change-engagement portion 212 andfastener-engagement portion 211 have hex configurations.

Also, as described above, fastener-engagement portion 211 is limited insize so that fastener-engagement portion 211 fits within a minordiameter of the threads of second fastener 197. However, a size oftool-change-engagement portion 212 is not limited by second fastener 197and as such may be larger than fastener-engagement portion 111. Forexample, tool-change-engagement portion 212 may be sized so as to belarger than the minor diameter of second fastener 197 but smaller than aminor diameter of first fastener 198. The larger diameter oftool-change-engagement portion 212 may provide increased torqueapplication to tool 210 to allow threadable fastening of tool 210 andtool retainer 230. Further, the two piece configuration of first body217 and second body 214 may limit damage and/or wear offastener-engagement portion 211 to second body 214 whiletool-change-engagement portion 212 of first body remains intact andundamaged.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, first body 217 of tool 210 comprises second aperture 250that is geometrically complementary to fastener-engagement portion 211of second body 214 of tool 210. Second body 214 extends through andengages second aperture 250 to rotationally fix second body 214 of tool210 relative to first body 217 of tool 210. The preceding subject matterof this paragraph characterizes example 86 of the present disclosure,wherein example 86 also includes the subject matter according to example85, above.

The geometrically complementary shapes of second aperture 250 of firstbody 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214rotationally fixes fastener-engagement portion 211 relative to, forexample, housing 200H of rotary drive 299 so that second fastener 197 isheld rotationally fixed by fastener-engagement portion 211 duringthreadable engagement between first fastener 198 and second fastener197.

For example, as described above, fastener-engagement portion 211 has ahex configuration. Second aperture 250 of first body 217 also has a hexconfiguration (or any other geometrical configuration corresponding toany suitable geometrical configuration of fastener-engagement portion211). As described above, suitable clearance is provided between secondaperture 250 of first body 217 and fastener-engagement portion 211 sothat fastener-engagement portion 211 can move freely through secondaperture 250 in direction D1 and direction D2. The mating interfacebetween second aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion 211 preventsrotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 relativeto housing 200H. For example, as described above, first body 217 isrotationally anchored to tool retainer 230 where tool retainer 230 isrotationally fixed (within predefined limits as described herein)relative to housing 200H through the mating interaction between key 232of tool retainer 230 and retaining opening 242A of retainer 240. Assuch, rotationally anchored first body 217 holds second body 214rotationally fixed, relative to housing 200H, through the matinginterface between second aperture 250 and fastener-engagement portion211.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, first body 217 of tool 210 further comprises first cavity251 in communication with second aperture 250. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 87 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 87 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 86, above.

First cavity 251 provides guided movement of shoulder 255 of second body214 in direction D1 and D2. First cavity 251 also houses resilientmember 215 and keeper so that first body 217, second body 214, resilientmember 215 and keeper 216 form a unitized assembly that is installed andremoved from rotary drive 299 as a one piece, self-contained, unitarymember as described above.

For example, second body 214 is at least partially located within firstcavity 251 of first body 217 so that fastener-engagement portion 211 ofsecond body 214 extends through second aperture 250. As described above,mating geometries of fastener-engagement portion 211 and second aperture250 prevent relative rotation between first body 217 and second body214. Second aperture 250 may also define a bearing interface for atleast partially guiding movement of second body 214 relative to firstbody 217 in direction D1 and direction D2. As described above, firstcavity 251 may also define a bearing surface for shoulder 255 that isconfigured to guide movement of shoulder 255 in direction D1 and D2 sothat first cavity 251 and second aperture 250 form a bearing system thatis configured to provide co-axial movement of second body 214 relativeto first body 217 in direction D1 and direction D2.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, first cavity 251 of first body 217 and second aperture 250have perpendicular cross-sections that are different from each other.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 88of the present disclosure, wherein example 88 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 87, above.

The different perpendicular cross-sections of first cavity 251 of firstbody 217 and second aperture 250 provide at least one retaining or stopsurface 217S for stopping movement of second body 214 in direction D2relative to first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, second body 214 of tool 210 is translatable within firstcavity 251 of first body 217 of tool 210, co-axially with first body 217of tool 210. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 89 of the present disclosure, wherein example 89also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 87 or88, above.

Translation of second body 214 of tool 210 within first cavity 251 offirst body 217 of tool 210 provides for relative movement between firstbody 217 and second body 214 as first fastener 198 threadably engagessecond fastener 197.

For example, as first fastener 198 threadably engages second fastener197, socket 220 and first fastener 198 move in direction D1 while secondfastener 197 does not move in direction D1 or direction D1. As describedabove, first body 217 is held captive between tool retainer 230 andsocket and also moves in direction D2 as first fastener 198 isthreadably engaged with second fastener 197. Translation of second body214 of tool 210 within first cavity 251 of first body 217 of tool 210allows first body 217 and socket 220 to move in direction D2 whilefastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 remains engaged withreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, and 18, second body 214 of tool 210 comprises shoulder 255, locatedbetween fastener-engagement portion 211 and fastener-engagementindicator 213. Keeper 216 is fixed at one end of first cavity 251,opposite from second aperture 250. A perpendicular cross-section offirst cavity 251 of first body 217 is larger than a perpendicularcross-section of second aperture 250 of first body 217. Shoulder 255 ofsecond body 214 is movably captured between keeper 216 and secondaperture 250 of first body 217. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 90 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 90 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 87-89, above.

First cavity 251 also houses resilient member 215 and keeper 216 so thatfirst body 217, second body 214, resilient member 215 and keeper 216form a unitized assembly that is installed and removed from rotary drive299 as a one piece, self-contained, unitary member as described above

For example, as described above, the different perpendicularcross-sections of first cavity 251 of first body 217 and second apertureof first body 217 form a wall at one end of first body 217 where secondaperture 250 is formed within the wall. This wall forms stop surface217S. Shoulder 255 engages stop surface 217S to arrest movement ofsecond body 214 in direction D2. Keeper 216 is disposed within firstbody 217, such as by a friction or press fit so that shoulder 255 iscaptured within first body 217 between stop surface 217S and keeper 216so that fastener-engagement portion 211 extends through second aperture250 and fastener-engagement indicator 213 extends through keeper 216.Resilient member 215 is captured between shoulder 255 of second body 214and keeper 216 so as to bias shoulder 255 of second body 214 againststop surface 217S of first body 217.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17 and 18, resilient member 215 is movably captured between shoulder 255of second body 214 and keeper 216. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 91 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 91 also includes the subject matter according to example 90,above.

Capturing resilient member 215 between shoulder 255 of second body 214and keeper 216 biases second body 214 in direction D2 so thatfastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 protrudes throughsecond aperture 250.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, method 950 of threadably coupling first fastener198 with second fastener 197 using rotary drive 299 comprising tool 210is provided. Method 950 comprises (block 951), rotationally anchoringsecond fastener 197 relative to tool 210 by co-axially urgingfastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 against second fastener 197and rotating tool 210 relative to second fastener 197 untilfastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 mates with receiving portion197R of second fastener 197. Method 950 further comprises (block 952),receiving first fastener 198 within socket 220 of rotary drive 299co-axially with fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210. Method 950also comprises (block 953), rotating first fastener 198 with socket 220of rotary drive 299 relative to housing 200H of rotary drive 299 tocause first fastener 198 to threadably engage second fastener 197. Whenfirst fastener 198 is rotated with socket 220 of rotary drive 299relative to housing 200H in a first direction to cause first fastener198 to threadably engage second fastener 197 while fastener-engagementportion 211 of tool 210 is mated with receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197 to rotationally anchor second fastener 197 relative to tool210 of rotary drive 299, fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 isco-axially translated relative to tool-change-engagement portion 212 oftool 210 and relative to socket 220 of rotary drive 299. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 92 of the presentdisclosure.

Allowing relative movement between fastener-engagement portion 211 bothof tool-change-engagement portion 212 of tool 210 and socket 220 ofrotary drive 299 allows for threadable engagement between first fastener198 and second fastener 197 while simplifying the configuration ofrotary drive 299.

For example, tool-change-engagement portion 212 is anchored to toolretainer 230 so as to move as a unit with housing 200H of rotary drive299 (e.g. there is no relative movement of tool-change-engagementportion 212 relative to socket 220 or housing in direction D1 anddirection D2. As first fastener 198 and second fastener 197 arethreadably engaged, socket 220 (and housing 200H) moves in direction D2with first fastener 198 so that socket 220 maintains driving contactwith first fastener 198. As there is no relative movement betweentool-change-engagement portion 212 and socket in direction D1 anddirection D2, tool-change-engagement portion 212 also moves in directionD2 as first fastener 198 is threadably engaged to second fastener 197.Movement of fastener-engagement portion 211 in direction D1 allowsmovement of housing 200H in direction D2 while fastener-engagementportion 211 remains engaged with receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197. Further, because resilient member 215 (which biasesfastener engagement portion 211 towards receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197) is self-contained within tool 210 rotary drive 299 doesnot include external springs and pivoting members, such as describedabove with respect to rotary drive 199 and rotary drive 199-2.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 954) when firstfastener 198 is rotated with socket 220 of rotary drive 299 relative tohousing 200H in the first direction, fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210 becomes rotationally fixed relative to housing 200H. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 93 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 93 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 92, above.

Rotationally fixing fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool relative tohousing 200H allows further rotation of socket while rotationally fixingsecond fastener 197 as first fastener 198 is threadably engaged withsecond fastener 197 through rotation of socket 220.

For example, as described above, rotary drive 299 includes retainer 240having retaining opening 242A. Retaining opening 242A may, in oneaspect, provide rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 with an engineeredrotational compliance. Also, as described above, socket 220 may beprovided with friction member 165 that transfers rotation of socket 220to rotary-drive sub-assembly 200. Rotation of socket 220 causes rotationof rotary-drive sub-assembly 200, and fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210, so that key 232 of tool retainer 230 of rotary-drivesub-assembly engages at least one wall of retaining opening 242A torotationally fix fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative tohousing 200H.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, method 950 further comprises (block 955)frictionally retaining first fastener 198 within socket 220. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 94 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 94 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 92 or 93, above.

Frictionally retaining first fastener 198 within socket 220 may providefor single hand use of rotary drive 299. Frictionally retaining firstfastener 198 within socket 220 also enables use of rotary drive 299 inconfined work areas such that an operator does not have to hold firstfastener 198 within socket 220 prior to engagement of first fastener 198with second fastener 197.

For example, socket 220 includes groove 168-3, which may be an annulargroove, adjacent an end of socket 220. Retaining member 166-3, such asan O-ring or other suitable friction member, is disposed at leastpartially within groove 168-3 such that at least a portion of retainingmember 166-3 protrudes towards a centerline (which may be coincidentwith symmetry axis 293) of socket 220 to engage first fastener 198 whenfirst fastener 198 is located at least partially within socket 220. Forexample, an inner diameter of retaining member 166-3 may be smaller thanan outer diameter of first fastener 198 to provide a friction fitbetween retaining member 166-3 and first fastener 198 so that firstfastener 198 is retained within socket 220 by retaining member 166-3.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 956) rotatingfastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 comprises rotating tool 210 relativeto second fastener 197 using housing 200H of rotary drive 299. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 95 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 95 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 92-94, above.

Rotating fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative toreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 by rotating tool 210 usinghousing 200H of rotary drive 299 provides for alignment offastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 with receiving portion 197Rof second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 957) rotatingfastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 comprises rotating tool 210 relativeto second fastener 197 using socket 220. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 96 of the present disclosure,wherein example 96 also includes the subject matter according to any oneof examples 92-94, above.

Rotating fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative toreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 using socket 220 of rotarydrive 299 provides for alignment of fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210 with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197substantially without rotation of housing 200H. This may allow for useof rotary drive 299 in confined working areas.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 958) rotating tool210 of rotary drive 299 relative to second fastener 197 using socket 220comprises rotating tool 210 relative to housing 200H of rotary drive299. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 97 of the present disclosure, wherein example 97 also includesthe subject matter according to example 96, above.

Rotating fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 relative toreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 using socket 220 of rotarydrive 299 provides for alignment of fastener-engagement portion 211 oftool 210 with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197substantially without rotation of housing 200H, again allowing for useof rotary drive 299 in confined working areas.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, method 950 further comprises (block 959) visuallyindicating a presence or an absence of rotational anchoring of secondfastener 197 relative to tool 210 using fastener-engagement indicator213 of tool 210. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 98 of the present disclosure, wherein example 98also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 92-97,above.

Fastener-engagement indicator 213 provides an operator of rotary drive299 a visual indicator of when fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 is engaged with receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197,such as when an operator of rotary drive 299 is unable to seefastener-engagement portion 211 and/or second fastener 197.

Fastener-engagement indicator 213 may also provide a tactile indicatorof when fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 is engagedwith receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. As described above,when fastener-engagement portion 211 of second body 214 is engaged withand fully seated within receiving portion 197R, end offastener-engagement indicator 213 may be substantially flush with orsubstantially even with surface 232S of key 232 (as illustrated in,e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17). When fastener-engagement portion 211 of secondbody 214 is misaligned (e.g. either rotationally misaligned or notcoaxial aligned) with receiving portion 197R, end of fastener-engagementindicator 213 may protrude above surface 232S of key 232 (as illustratedin, e.g., FIGS. 14A and 17)

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, method 950 further comprises (block 960) enablingfastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 to be disengaged fromreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 by at least partiallyremoving torque between fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 andreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197, resulting from rotatingfirst fastener 198 in the first direction to cause first fastener 198 tothreadably engage second fastener 197 while fastener-engagement portion211 of tool 210 is mated with receiving portion 197R of second fastener197, by rotating socket 220 of rotary drive 299 in a second directionopposite to the first direction. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 99 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 99 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 92-94 or 96-98, above.

At least partially removing the torque between fastener-engagementportion 211 of tool 210 and receiving portion 197R of second fastener197 allows for the removal of tool 210 from second fastener 197.

For example, as tool 210 is used fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool210 may wear and engagement surfaces of fastener-engagement portion 211may be come rounded, e.g. such as rounded corners of a hex drive orother suitable drive. As torque is applied when rotationally engagingfirst fastener 198 with second fastener 197, fastener-engagement portion211 of tool 210 may become bound to receiving portion 197R of secondfastener 197 such as when the rounded corners of fastener-engagementportion 211 allow some rotation of fastener-engagement portion 211within receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197. The rotation offastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 within receiving portion197R of second fastener 197 may bind tool 210 to second fastener 197 andprevent removal of tool 210 from second fastener 197. At least partiallyremoving the torque between fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210and receiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 may reverse thebinding rotation between fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210 andreceiving portion 197R of second fastener 197 so that tool 210 may beremoved from second fastener 197.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14B,15A, 16, 17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 961) tool210 of rotary drive 299 has a limited amount of rotation between about30 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to housing 200H of rotarydrive 299. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 100 of the present disclosure, wherein example 100 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 92-94 or 96-99,above.

The limited amount of rotation of tool 210 relative to housing 200H ofrotary drive 299 provides rotation of tool 210 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 so that fastener-engagement portion211 of tool 210 can be geometrically rotationally aligned with receivingportion 197R, substantially without rotation of housing 200H.

For example, similar to that described above, an initial rotationalorientation of fastener-engagement portion 211 relative to receivingportion 197R of second fastener 197 may be such that the geometry offastener-engagement portion 211 is not aligned with the geometry ofreceiving portion 197R. The limited amount of rotation of tool 210allows for predetermined limited rotation (e.g. a rotational compliancewhich is a total amount of rotation in both clockwise andcounterclockwise directions) of fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool210 relative to receiving portion 197R to align their respectivegeometries to allow engagement between fastener-engagement portion 211and receiving portion 197R. To provide the predetermined limitedrotation of fastener-engagement portion 211 of tool 210, retainingopening 242A may be in the form of a circumferentially enclosedbutterfly slot as illustrated in FIG. 14B.

Referring generally to FIG. 13 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 15A, 16,17, 18, 19A and 19B, according to method 950, (block 962) tool 210 ofrotary drive 299 has a limited amount of rotation less than about 10degrees relative to housing 200H of rotary drive 299. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 101 of thepresent disclosure, wherein example 101 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 92-95, above.

The limited amount of rotation of tool 210 relative to housing 200H ofrotary drive 299 maintains a substantially fixed (non-rotating)relationship between tool 210 (rotationally anchored to tool retainer230) of rotary-drive sub-assembly 200 and housing 200H.

As described above, this limited amount of rotation (e.g. intrinsicrotational backlash) may be defined as a result of manufacturingtolerances that provide a slip or clearance fit between key 232 andretaining opening 242A, where the amount of rotation provided by theintrinsic rotational backlash is a total rotation in both clockwise andcounterclockwise directions.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23, and 24, tool-change station 300 comprises base 310 and firsttool-change member 320, rotatably coupled to base 310. First tool-changemember 320 comprises first tool-engagement portion 326, geometricallycomplementary with tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool110, 210, 410 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 102 of the presentdisclosure.

Tool-change station 300 allows for the installation and removal of tools110, 210, 410 to and from rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299. Rotatablycoupling first tool-change member 320 to base 310 allows for theinstallation and removal of tools 110, 210, 410 from rotary-drivesub-assembly 100, 200, 400 without removing rotary-drive sub-assembly100, 200, 400 from rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299.

For example, tool 110, 210, 410 may be engaged to first tool-changemember 320 as described herein so that tool-change-engagement portion112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 interfaces with firsttool-engagement portion 326 located at first end 321E1 of firsttool-change member 320. First tool-change member 320 may be rotated asdescribed herein to cause relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410and tool retainer 130, 230, 430 so that tool 110, 210, 410 isrotationally disengaged from rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23, and 24, first tool-change member 320 further comprises firstsocket-engagement portion 325, having an external shape complementarywith an internal shape of socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199,199-2, 299. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 103 of the present disclosure, wherein example 103 also includesthe subject matter according to example 102, above.

Providing first tool-change member 320 with first socket-engagementportion 325 allows for rotation of first tool-change member with rotarydrive 199, 199-2, 299.

For example, while tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool110, 210, 410 interfaces with first tool-engagement portion 326 of firsttool-change member 320, socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 engages first socket-engagement portion 325 of tool-changemember 320. Socket 120, 120-2, 220 may be driven by rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 to rotate first tool-change member 320 which causes rotationof tool 110, 210, 410 (which is engaged to first tool-engagement portion326) relative to tool retainer 130, 230, 430 for removing or installingtool 110, 210, 410 from or to rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23, and 24, base 310 comprises first aperture 329. First tool-changemember 320 further comprises first base-engagement portion 327,rotatably received within first aperture 329. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 104 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 104 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 103, above.

Locating first tool-change member 320 in base 310 provides a stableplatform for installing and removing tool 110, 210, 410 to and fromrotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

First base-engagement portion 327 is located at second end 321E2 offirst tool-change member 320, which is opposite first end 321E1 so thatwhen first tool-change member 320 is located in base 310 firsttool-engagement portion 326 extends away from first side 311 of base310.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23, and 24, tool-change station 300 further comprises first bushing 328,fixed within first aperture 329 of base 310. First base-engagementportion 327 of first tool-change member 320 is rotatable within firstbushing 328. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 105 of the present disclosure, wherein example 105also includes the subject matter according to example 104, above.

Providing base 310 with first bushing 328 prevents wearing of base 310and allows for rotation of first tool-change member 320 relative to base310.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 23 and24, tool-change station 300 further comprises first retainer 330. Firsttool-change member 320 further comprises first shoulder 331 betweenfirst socket-engagement portion 325 and first base-engagement portion327. First base-engagement portion 327 of first tool-change member 320comprises first groove 332. First bushing 328 is captured between firstshoulder 331 of first tool-change member 320 and first retainer 330,which is received within first groove 332 of first base-engagementportion 327 of first tool-change member 320. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 106 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 106 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 105, above.

Providing first retainer 330 within first groove 332 of firsttool-change member 320 captures first tool-change member 320 and firstbushing 328 to base 310 so that first tool-change member 320 cannot beremoved from base 310 while tool 110, 210, 410 is installed to andremoved from rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 23 and24, tool-change station 300 further comprises first retainer 330. Firsttool-change member 320 further comprises first shoulder 331 betweenfirst socket-engagement portion 325 and first base-engagement portion327. First base-engagement portion 327 of first tool-change member 320comprises first groove 332. Base 310 is captured between first shoulder331 of first tool-change member 320 and first retainer 330, which isreceived within first groove 332 of first base-engagement portion 327 offirst tool-change member 320. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 107 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 107 also includes the subject matter according to example 104,above.

Providing first retainer 330 within first groove 332 of firsttool-change member 320 captures first tool-change member 320 and firstbushing 328 to base 310 so that first tool-change member 320 cannot beremoved from base 310 while tool 110, 210, 410 is installed to andremoved from rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 25,tool-change station 300 further comprises first drive 700, coupled tofirst tool-change member 320. First drive 700 is configured toselectively cause relative rotation between first tool-change member 320and base 310. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 108 of the present disclosure, wherein example 108also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples102-107, above.

Providing first drive 700 to selectively cause relative rotation betweenfirst tool-change member 320 and base 310 allows for the installationand removal of tool 110, 210, 410 from rotary-drive sub-assembly 100,200, 400 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 without actuation of rotarydrive 199, 199-2, 299.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23, 24 and 25, tool-change station 300 further comprises secondtool-change member 320A, rotatably coupled to base 310. Secondtool-change member 320A comprises second tool-engagement portion 326A.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 109of the present disclosure, wherein example 109 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 102-108, above.

Having more than one tool-change member (e.g. first tool-change member320 and second tool-change member 320A) may allow for a fast swapping ofone tool 110, 210, 410 with another tool 110, 210, 410, where fastswapping indicates a rapid or quick succession tool change thatfacilitates the replacement of one tool 110 with another tool 110.

Second tool-change member 320A may be substantially similar to firsttool-change member 320 in that second tool-change member 320A includessecond tool-engagement portion 326A, second socket engagement portion325A, second shoulder 331A, second base-engagement portion 327A asdescribed herein with respect to first tool-change member 320. Similarto that described above, second base-engagement portion 327A is locatedat second end 321E2A of second tool-change member 320A, which isopposite first end 321E1A so that when second tool-change member 320A islocated in base 310 second tool-engagement portion 326A extends awayfrom first side 311 of base 310. In one aspect, second base-engagementportion 327A includes second groove 332A in which second retainer 330Ais disposed so that second tool-change member 320A is retained in secondbushing 328A in second aperture 329A of base 310 in a mannersubstantially similar to that described herein with respect to firsttool-change member 320.

Base 310 may include array 600 of tool-change members, where thetool-change members in array 600 include at least first tool-changemember 320 and second tool-change member 320A. First tool-change member320 may be empty (e.g. does not support tool 110, 210, 410) while secondtool-change member 320A holds a replacement tool 110, 210, 410. Anoperator may align a worn or broken tool 110, 210, 410 with firsttool-change member 320 and remove the worn or broken tool 110, 210, 410with first tool-change member 320 where the worn or broken tool isretained within first tool-change member 320 after removal of the wornor broken tool 110, 210, 410 from rotary drive 199, 19-2, 299. Theoperator may align rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 with second tool-changemember 320A, so that the replacement tool 110, 210, 410 is aligned withtool retainer 130, 230, 430 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299, and installthe replacement tool 110, 210, 410 in rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299.

In one aspect, second tool-change member 320A is driven by second drive700A in a manner substantially similar to that described herein withrespect to first tool-change member 320 and first drive 700.

Referring generally to FIG. 20 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 21, 22,23 and 24, second tool-engagement portion 326A of second tool-changemember 320A is different from first tool-engagement portion 326 of firsttool-change member 320. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 110 of the present disclosure, wherein example 110also includes the subject matter according to example 109, above.

Second tool-engagement portion 326A of second tool-change member 320Abeing different than first tool-engagement portion 326 of firsttool-change member 320 allows for installation and removal ofdifferently sized and/or shaped tools 110, 210, 410 with a commontool-change station 300.

For example, second tool-engagement portion 326A of second tool-changemember 320A may be configured (e.g. shaped and sized) to interface withtool 110, 210, 410 having a larger or smaller fastener-engagementportion 111, 211, 411 than another tool 110, 210, 410 that interfaceswith first tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320(e.g. second tool-engagement portion 326A may be configured to interfacewith tool 110, 210, 410 that corresponds to a 15 mm fastener while firsttool-engagement portion 326 may be configured to interface with anothertool 110, 210, 410 that corresponds to an 8 mm fastener). Similarly, ageometry of second tool-engagement portion 326A may be different than ageometry of first tool-engagement portion 326. For example, secondtool-engagement portion 326A may have a hex configuration while firsttool-engagement portion 326 has a spline configuration.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, method 1000 of coupling or decoupling tool 110,210, 410 of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400 and tool retainer130, 230, 430 of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400 is provided.Method comprises, in Block 1001, rotationally anchoring tool 110, 210,410 to first tool-change member 320, rotatably coupled to base 310, byengaging tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210,410 with first tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member320, wherein base 310 has first side 311 and second side 312, oppositefirst side 311. Method 1000 further comprises, in Block 1002, causingrelative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230,430. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 111 of the present disclosure.

Engaging first tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110,210, 410 with first tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-changemember 320 allows for removal of tool 110, 210, 410 from rotary-drivesub-assembly 100, 200, 400 independent of a structural condition (e.g.fracture, wear, breakage, etc.) of fastener-engagement portion 111, 211,411 of tool 110, 210, 410.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1003)rotationally anchoring tool 110, 210, 410 relative to first tool-changemember 320 comprises co-axially urging tool 110, 210 410 against firsttool-change member 320 and rotating first tool-change member 320relative to tool 110, 210, 410 until tool-change-engagement portion 112,212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 mates with first tool-engagement portion326 of first tool-change member 320. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 112 the present disclosure, whereinexample 112 also includes the subject matter according to example 111,above.

Co-axially urging tool 110, 210, 410 against first tool-change member320 and rotating first tool-change member 320 relative to tool 110, 210,410 causes alignment of tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 oftool 110, 210, 410 with first tool-engagement portion 326 of firsttool-change member 320 and causes one of tool-change-engagement portion112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 and first tool-engagement portion326 of first tool-change member 320 to be inserted into the other one oftool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 andfirst tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320.

For example, as described above, tool-change-engagement portion 112,212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 has a predetermined geometric shape (e.g.hex drive, clutch drive, TORX® drive, spline, etc.). Firsttool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320 has ageometric configuration that mates with the geometric configuration oftool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410.Relative rotation between tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412of tool 110, 210, 410 and first tool-engagement portion 326 of firsttool-change member 320 aligns the mating respective geometricconfigurations and the co-axial urging of tool 110, 210, 410 againstfirst tool-change member 320 causes one of tool-change-engagementportion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 and first tool-engagementportion 326 of first tool-change member 320 to be inserted into theother one of tool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110,210, 410 and first tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-changemember 320.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1004) firsttool-change member 320 is rotated from first side 311 of base 310 usingsocket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299. Rotary drive199, 199-2, 299 comprises rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 113 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 113 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 112, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 with socket 120, 120-2, 220 ofrotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 allows for a compact and unpowered toolchange station 300 that is easily manufactured. Rotating firsttool-change member 320 with socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 may also allow for one handed changing of tool 110, 210, 410of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1005) firsttool-change member 320 is rotated using socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotarydrive 199, 199-2, 299 in one of a first direction or a second direction,opposite to the first direction, to mate tool-change-engagement portion112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 with first tool-engagement portion326 of first tool-change member 320. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 114 of the present disclosure,wherein example 114 also includes the subject matter according toexample 113, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 in one of with the first directionor second direction with socket 120, 120-2, 220 causes alignment oftool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 withfirst tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1006) firsttool-change member 320 is rotated from second side 312 of base 310 usingfirst drive 700. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 115 of the present disclosure, wherein example 115also includes the subject matter according to example 112, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 using first drive 700 allows forchanging of tool 110, 210, 410 when, for example, rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 is unpowered.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1007) firsttool-change member 320 is rotated using first drive 700 in one of firstdirection or second direction, opposite to the first direction, to matetool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 withfirst tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 116 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 116 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 115, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 in one of with the first directionor second direction with first drive 700 causes alignment oftool-change-engagement portion 112, 212, 412 of tool 110, 210, 410 withfirst tool-engagement portion 326 of first tool-change member 320.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1008)rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400 is at least partiallyrotationally fixed relative to housing 100H, 100H-2, 200H of rotarydrive 199, 199-2, 299 by rotationally coupling tool retainer 130, 230,430 of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400 with housing 100H,100H-2, 200H. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 117 of the present disclosure, wherein example 117also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples111-114, above.

At least partially rotationally fixing rotary-drive sub-assembly 100,200, 400 to housing 100H, 100H-2, 200H of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299provides for the relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and toolretainer 130, 230, 430.

For example, as described above, tool retainer 130, 230, 430 is capturedwithin rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 between socket 120, 120-2, 220 andretaining assembly 140, 140-2 or retainer 240. Tool retainer 130, 230,430 includes key 132, 232, 432 that engages retaining opening 151A,151A-2, 242A for rotationally constraining tool retainer 130, 230, 430.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1009) relativerotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430 inthe first direction causes tool 110, 210, 410 to rotatably engage toolretainer 130, 230, 430. Relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 andtool retainer 130, 230, 430 in second direction, opposite the firstdirection, causes tool 110, 210, 410 to rotatably disengage from toolretainer 130, 230, 430. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 118 of the present disclosure, wherein example 118also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 111 or112, above.

The rotational engagement and disengagement of tool 110, 210, 410 andtool retainer 130, 230, 430 allows for threadably coupling or decouplingtool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430.

For example, relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and toolretainer 130, 230, 430 in the first direction may rotationally coupletool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430. Relative rotationbetween tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430 in the seconddirection may rotationally decouple tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer130, 230, 430. As described above, tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer130, 230, 430 may be configured with either right hand or left andthreads.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 5, 9A, 15B, 18, 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000,(block 1010) relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and toolretainer 130, 230, 430 in first direction causes tool 110, 210, 410 tothreadably engage tool retainer 130, 230, 430. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 119 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 119 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 118, above.

Threadable engagement between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130,230, 430 mates tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430 sothat when stop surface 110S, 210S, 410S of tool 110, 210, 410 contacts,e.g., retaining surface 130S, 230S, 430S of tool retainer 130, 230, 430,tool 110, 210, 410 does not further rotate relative to tool retainer130, 230, 430 in the first direction.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1011) relativerotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230, 430 inthe second direction, opposite the first direction, causes tool 110,210, 410 to threadably disengage from tool retainer 130, 230, 430. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 120 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 120 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 118 or 119, above.

Threadable disengagement of tool 110, 210, 410 from tool retainer 130,230, 430 allows for the removal of tool 110, 210, 410 from rotary-drivesub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, method 1000 further comprises (block 1012)rotationally anchoring first tool-change member 320 and socket 120,120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 on first side of base 310.Relative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230,430 in one of the first direction or the second direction is caused byrotating socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199, 199-2, 299. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 121 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 121 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 118-120, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 with socket 120, 120-2, 220 ofrotary drive 199, 199-2, 299 allows for a compact and unpowered toolchange station 300 that is easily manufactured. Rotating firsttool-change member 320 with socket 120, 120-2, 220 of rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 may also allow for one handed changing of tool 110, 210, 410of rotary-drive sub-assembly 100, 200, 400.

Rotationally anchoring first tool-change member 320 and socket 120,120-2, 220 comprises inserting first tool-change member 320 into socket120, 120-2, 220 so that the geometrical shape of first tool-changemember 320 is mated with the geometrical shape of socket 120, 120-2,220.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 8, 13 and 20 and particularly to, e.g.,FIGS. 21, 22, 24 and 26, according to method 1000, (block 1013) causingrelative rotation between tool 110, 210, 410 and tool retainer 130, 230,430 comprises rotating first tool-change member 320 relative to base 310with first drive 700 that is rotationally anchored with firsttool-change member 320 on second side 312 of base 310. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 122 of thepresent disclosure, wherein example 122 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 118-120, above.

Rotating first tool-change member 320 using first drive 700 allows forchanging of tool 110, 210, 410 when, for example, rotary drive 199,199-2, 299 is unpowered.

In this aspect, first drive 700 is located on an opposite side of base310 than first tool-change member 320. However, in other aspects, firstdrive 700 may be located on a common side of base 310, such as firstside 311 of base 310.

Examples of the present disclosure may be described in the context ofaircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 as shown in FIG. 27 andaircraft 1102 as shown in FIG. 28. During pre-production, illustrativemethod 1100 may include specification and design (block 1104) ofaircraft 1102 and material procurement (block 1106). During production,component and subassembly manufacturing (block 1108) and systemintegration (block 1110) of aircraft 1102 may take place. Thereafter,aircraft 1102 may go through certification and delivery (block 1112) tobe placed in service (block 1114). While in service, aircraft 1102 maybe scheduled for routine maintenance and service (block 1116). Routinemaintenance and service may include modification, reconfiguration,refurbishment, etc. of one or more systems of aircraft 1102.

Each of the processes of illustrative method 1100 may be performed orcarried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator(e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a systemintegrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraftmanufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party mayinclude, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, andsuppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, militaryentity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 28, aircraft 1102 produced by illustrative method 1100may include airframe 1118 with a plurality of high-level systems 1120and interior 1122. Examples of high-level systems 1120 include one ormore of propulsion system 1124, electrical system 1126, hydraulic system1128, and environmental system 1130. Any number of other systems may beincluded. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principlesdisclosed herein may be applied to other industries, such as theautomotive industry. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft 1102, theprinciples disclosed herein may apply to other vehicles, e.g., landvehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc.

Apparatus(es) and method(s) shown or described herein may be employedduring any one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and servicemethod 1100. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding tocomponent and subassembly manufacturing (block 1108) may be fabricatedor manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassembliesproduced while aircraft 1102 is in service (block 1114). Also, one ormore examples of the apparatus(es), method(s), or combination thereofmay be utilized during production stages 1108 and 1110, for example, bysubstantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft1102. Similarly, one or more examples of the apparatus or methodrealizations, or a combination thereof, may be utilized, for example andwithout limitation, while aircraft 1102 is in service (block 1114)and/or during maintenance and service (block 1116).

Different examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed hereininclude a variety of components, features, and functionalities. Itshould be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) andmethod(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features,and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es)and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination, and all of suchpossibilities are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not tobe limited to the specific examples illustrated and that modificationsand other examples are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in thecontext of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/orfunctions, it should be appreciated that different combinations ofelements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementationswithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,parenthetical reference numerals in the appended claims are presentedfor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter to the specific examples provided in thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool-change station, comprising: a base; and a first tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the first tool-change member is configured to install and remove a tool to and from a rotary drive and comprises a first tool-engagement portion, geometrically complementary with a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool of the rotary drive.
 2. The tool-change station according to claim 1, wherein the first tool-change member further comprises a first socket-engagement portion, having an external shape complementary with an internal shape of a socket of the rotary drive.
 3. The tool-change station according to claim 2, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 4. The tool-change station according to claim 2, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 5. The tool-change station according to claim 2, wherein: the base comprises a first aperture; and the first tool-change member further comprises a first base-engagement portion, received within the first aperture so that the first base-engagement portion is rotatable within the first aperture.
 6. The tool-change station according to claim 5, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 7. The tool-change station according to claim 5, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 8. The tool-change station according to claim 5, further comprising a first bushing, fixed within the first aperture of the base, and wherein the first base-engagement portion of the first tool-change member is rotatable within the first bushing.
 9. The tool-change station according to claim 8, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 10. The tool-change station according to claim 8, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 11. The tool-change station according to claim 8, further comprising a first retainer and wherein: the first tool-change member further comprises a first shoulder between the first socket-engagement portion and the first base-engagement portion; the first base-engagement portion of the first tool-change member comprises a first groove; and the first bushing is captured between the first shoulder of the first tool-change member and the first retainer, received within the first groove of the first base-engagement portion of the first tool-change member.
 12. The tool-change station according to claim 11, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 13. The tool-change station according to claim 11, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 14. The tool-change station according to claim 5, further comprising a first retainer and wherein: the first tool-change member further comprises a first shoulder between the first socket-engagement portion and the first base-engagement portion; the first base-engagement portion of the first tool-change member comprises a first groove; and the base is captured between the first shoulder of the first tool-change member and the first retainer, received within the first groove of the first base-engagement portion of the first tool-change member.
 15. The tool-change station according to claim 14, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 16. The tool-change station according to claim 14, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 17. The tool-change station according to claim 1, further comprising a first drive, coupled to the first tool-change member, and wherein the first drive is configured to selectively cause relative rotation between the first tool-change member and the base.
 18. The tool-change station according to claim 17, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 19. The tool-change station according to claim 1, further comprising a second tool-change member, coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the second tool-change member comprises a second tool-engagement portion.
 20. The tool-change station according to claim 19, wherein the second tool-engagement portion of the second tool-change member is different from the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. 